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Matt Potratz?

He is doing pretty darn well for how far he has came so fast. He is back to work 4-5 days a week. He still doesn't have movement of his left arm yet, but the surgery wasn't suppose to affect it for a few months till everything started to grow back together. When he sneezes or coughs he feels the pain in his shoulder, because they took some nerves from their and put them in his shoulder also. Last time I was around him, he was telling jokes the whole night. You would of never known anything had of happened if he wasn't in his sling. He is doing much better, and is improving each and every day.
 
I visited him probably a month and half ago and he is doing good. Like Bkinzer said the surgery to help him regain some mobility in his left arm went as well as it could have and the doctors anticipate that he will get some limited mobility back. If you were following the Caringbridge site you know that he was in quite a bit of pain due to the nerve damage and unfortunately he is still in quite a bit of pain and on some fairly potent drugs. The good thing is that he is remaining really positive despite everything he has been through and it has given him a new appreciation and outlook on life.
 
He is high in spirits and as gary and jeremy state is still in pain and having mobility issues with his left arm but has huge heart and a strong person even if his left arm never becomes 100% he will be out there appriciating the outdoors and back in the saddle.

He was selling his sled last i had talked with him and recently is having a jet boat built so he can master another xtreme sport and be able to take his kids along with him on his adventure as he has found a new appriciation for life as i feel we all have that have witnessed what he had gone through.

So to sum it up he's doing exceptionally well considering and is trying to get back into his normal everyday routine, even though the pain is great and his arm isn't 100% his spirits are and he's already looking into another way to enjoy the outdoors...

Its awesome people still have him in their thoughts and just keep praying for his spirits to overcome all he's been through.
 
this past Thursday there was a large article with photos on Matt in the Lewiston Tribune.. good story
 
TTT for Potratz!:D You ABSOLUTELY ROCK Matt!! Proud of you & truly admire you for your persevering strength & positive attitude! :D.....
:D:D:D!
Mini!
 
I dont want to speak for matt - and god knows not to count him out but i would say theres a good chance you wont see him on the snow this year.

But i will say you will see him on the snow again and he'll probably still outride most even if he's doing it with one arm...

Keep praying for him, and everyone be safe and were your gear, know how it works!
 
good to hear. what are the nature of his injury. a guy we know hit a tree and got a stick in the neck. ruined his nerves to the arm and was in alot of pain but couldn't move his arm. sounds like about the same prob mike has
 
Thanks for the update, I'm glad to hear he is still recovering well!

Matt, Keep your head up and keep pushing forward.:beer;
 
HEY GUYS....ITS MATT Jumpin in to say hi

WOW! The support from fans and fellow riders has been incredible! You guys rock! The posts are right, I am doing well. Have some physical therapy for my spinal injury and range of motion on my left arm. Right now, my left arm is dead....I cant feel it or move it. Still good blood flow and everything..theres actually Nothing wrong with the arm itself. The injury is detached nerves at the spinal cord. The original nerves that operated my arm were not useable and my bicep muscle has died from no nerve activity. But, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, an 11 hr surgery took the gracilis muscle out of my leg and transplanted it to replace my bicep. Then to give it nerve activity, they took 3 nerves from my rib cage area that help me inhale and exhale, left them live, and re-routed them to operate my arm. It takes 8-9 months for those nerves to bond and actually produce function of the arm. So in June or July, I should start to get some function and 6 more months of therapy should get me 50 % arm use back. AMAZING what they can do. As of right now, my broken femur has healed perfect and the Nuerological damage affects me very little, I walk almost normal. The surgery on my broken neck went very well and its also healing nicely. Im affected very little by my head injury which the docs expected to have a lot more long lasting affects. You got the story on my arm. AND im gonna strap my sling up tight and RIDE a few times THIS YEAR! Obviously nowhere near the level I was, but I didnt ride for the camera anyway, I rode to be out there with you guys and see incredible country most people never see in a lifetime! Im excited to be where Im at today. Its so far ahead of where I should be with these injuries. I first and foremost thank God for answering hundreds, maybe even thousands of prayers. And second I thank my friends and family and ALL of you in this sport for helping me believe I could be Matt again! THANKYOU ALL! GOD BLESS. Matt
 
Well i'd say matt sumed it up pretty good. I was gonna let everyone know that i had talked to him the other wknd at Mountain Motor Sports and that he plans on going for a couple rides this season but he beat me to the punch. I have to say i enjoyed talking to him and was happy to see his spirits so high.

You are a fighter Matt and i can't wait to hit the snow a couple of times with you this season. see ya around and keep getting better!
 
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