Monday, July 16, 2007

Painful Experience

Tonight our son Matthew (11) attended the first session the Canadian Hockey Enterprises Goalie Camp. Each evening this week, several dozen young, aspiring goaltenders will spend 2 hours doing various drills to improve their skills.

When registering Matthew for the camp we wondered if his aching body would be able to withstand the physical beating. Matthew is in constant pain when he walks. He has a very pronounced high arch in his feet caused in part by a tethered spinal chord.

Watching Matthew ply his trade on the ice tonight was a bittersweet experience for Carol and me. We are thrilled that Matthew, with all his challenges, is brave enough to enroll in a hockey school when he knows that he'll be up against other boys (and some girls) who aren't shackled with all the physical setbacks that Matthew has.

Tonight Matthew was wondering if his body will be able take the 2-hour sessions each evening this week. We assured him that if it's too much for him, he can walk away and we won't be disappointed in him. What a fighter he is! He doesn't want to quit but he may be forced to.

Thanks for praying for Matthew! What a blessing our chosen son has been to us!

7 comments:

Julie (Little Missionary) said...

Go Matthew Go! May the Lord bless you with plenty of courage and strenghth!

Julie (Little Missionary)

Terry said...

Dear David...That little Matthew looks like a son that you can really be proud of!!
I can't wait unti Hebrews 11:1 sees this picture!....From Pp Terry

Terry said...

Hey Good morning Little Missionary, Julie.
You certainly were up early!!
Have a good day working and be happy. God bless...Love Terry

passing-thru said...

Needs little and great for people old and young -- yes, for Matthew



passing-thru

David Warren Fisher said...

To all our Pilgrim Pals:

Rather than mentioning it again in my posts, Matthew has a high-functioning form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome.

He handles things extremely well in spite of his challenges.

Wish you all could meet our little guy someday.

Maybe when we visit Ottawa Julie, the little missionary and Lauren Mary can stop by (with Julie's bunny) and see him.

Thanks again for your prayers.

Lots of love,

David

Anonymous said...

I love the photo, but it's my sister who will really enjoy it...she's a goalie! Okay, she only plays pick-up hockey, but she's a tough cookie at the local park. She was playing once and this guy skated up to her, and said, "What's your style of play?" So, she replies, "It's like..." and I forgot the name she pulled out of her head, but it was some goalie from 30 or 40 years ago, and the guy just nodded and said, "Oh, okay!" like he knew who it was, but with a very puzzled look on his face So, he skated over to another guy, and said, "Who's...." to which the other guy didn't know the name either! I don't blame them, I don't even remember the name, but she sure stumped them, and it was funny!

Good Morning, everyone!
Kali Mara! (Gr.)
Buongiourno! (It.)
Masa el kher! (Arabic)
Paraloois! (Armenian)
Buenos Dias!
Bon Matin!

Okay, that armenian is certainly not spelled right,but that's the way it sounds. :)

Lil Pilgrim Pal

Lamentations 3:57
Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. (KJV)

Anonymous said...

Good for Matthew!
Hebrews 11:1 got the story wrong.
I was plating at the park with some rough and tough boys, whan I dashe into the corner to slap the puck out of my zone. Some kid asked me(rather rudely)"Who do you think you are?" "Paddy Moran" I answered, with a smirk under my mask. "Get in your crease, you're in the 'no go zone'" he said and skated off.I heard him asking other guys who Paddy Moran is, but nobody knew!
I'll let you guys in on the "secret" later.