MATT LONG UPDATE: 100 Days...

Hello Everybody,

There has been a bit of a hiatus since the last update and I apologize for the delay and appreciate your inquiries as to Matt's situation and my whereabouts. I am fine but more importantly all is well with Matt and he is steadily going through his daily regimen of physical and occupational therapy with gusto. His spirits are in the line of good to great and he's got the will, attitude and determination like no other I've encountered.

His days are long and tiring but he is making steady progress. They start in the AM with therapy until 11:30 or so, then he has lunch from 12-1 (give or take), and then back off to therapy until 4PM. Matt usually needs a bit of time to wind down and then hangs out with friends and family whether, in his room or the common room of the rehab unit. His evenings can be pretty reflective of his day, so he is often exhausted and hits the hay around 10PM. There is always someone there from his family in the evenings.

He gets around via wheelchair and is looking pretty damn good as of late. Do not get me wrong, it is not like he is whizzing around in the chair, but he is steadily operating it and seemingly comfortable while eating lunch or dinner at the table or just lounging and watching TV. They actually brought him outside this past week a couple of times to get his first breath of fresh NYC air. It must have been wonderful for him. He's been in there a while now. I can't wait to speak with him about it. That seems funny huh?, but it is huge when you think about it.

Matt has been following the Final Four pretty closely and thoroughly enjoying it even though his hallowed Iona Gaels got knocked out along with the 'Nova Wildcats. I have not spoken to him but I feel he favors the Billy Donovan led Gators over the Bruins. My guess is based on Donovan being a good Irish Catholic with NY roots and an education from Providence. He has been reading your cards and eating your cookies and doing both with much gratitude. Matty has also been keeping up to date with the news and current events. I felt like I was talking with a network anchor the last time I was with him and we were watching CNN.

The short of it is that he's doing OK. The Matt Long we all know and love is back and really moving towards his goals. There are smiles and laughs now even though there are both long term ups and down as well as short term ups and downs. He has been accepting visitors but you never know how he is feeling after his long day and the goal is not to make him feel obliged to see anyone if he is not feeling up to it. Much better to be announced in advance. You may spend some time there and still not get to visit with him depending on his day. I think it still is best to check with someone from the family or me to see if he'll feel up to a visit from you. REMEMBER: There is no access to him at all from Monday-Saturday, all day until 5PM, due to his rehab schedule. Sunday is an open day and can be pretty busy up there for him. Just try and use good judgment in regards to this, for Matt's sake.

You can always forward me your cards or mementos for him. I make sure he gets them. Keep in mind that pretty soon it will be our job to handle some of Matt's charities starting this Spring. Someone will need to make up for his time off this year and I will volunteer some of you for that job. Just kidding, but I will ask him about that idea of "covering him" at some events over the next few days.

There will be another email following this one, which is a copy of the NY Post Editorial letter from Mrs. Long in regards to the TWU boss and his sentencing.

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Please read it and think about this when you cross paths with other like-minded people or politicos. SPEAK OUT. SPEAK YOUR MIND. Remember that you have a voice and the right to speak out loudly, for that, in part, is what this great country was built on.

Terry Brennan