THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2013
PAGE 3A
HEALTH
Friends and family rally around student's recovery
EMMA LEGAULT
elegault@kansan.com
While standing in front of a rock wall and looking up, the goal of climbing to the top can seem daunting, if not a bit impossible. It's not an easy or a quick task, but as he reaches and moves higher with each step, the vision of the top becomes closer and clearer.
As a rock-climbing enthusiast, Matthew Koontz has experienced this numerous times. Now, it is a different kind of wall he is scaling.
Koontz, a senior from Overland Park, was hit by a truck while biking across the intersection of Iowa Street and Harvard Road Jan. 29. He broke his sternum, arm, and all of the ribs on his left side as well as a couple on his right. He also had bleeding in his brain behind his frontal lobe and had an emergency splenectomy while in the hospital.
Although he won't be able to return to rock climbing soon, Koontz is beginning his "climb" of recovery. This time, the goals at the top are graduating in May with majors in business administration and anthropology and returning to a life of traveling and rock climbing.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
A RECOVERY "BIBLE"
Lawrence senior Camille Fittell,
a fellow rock climber and close friend of Koontz , compiled the entries in a binder and delivered it to Koontz before he returned to his home on Feb. 4. After witnessing her mother go through a knee replacement surgery and therapy, she wanted to offer the same support to Koontz.
Koontz is not alone in his journey. Through a Facebook group named "Forever Strong: Matt Koontz Recovery Bible," his friends and family have been able to contribute stories, pictures and words of encouragement for him.
"We can't all see him every day as much as we would love to, but we want him to know that every day of recovery we're thinking about him and we're ready for him to get back out and climb again." Fittell said.
Matt's parents Mike and Pam Koontz said the outlet of support has been helpful in the recovery process.
"It gives him a lot of energy to know everyone's behind him and he's not doing this by himself," Mike said.
"We try to surround him with things that make him happy," Pam said. "We really appreciate all the work and all the help that people went through to bring him good thoughts and good pravers."
WORKING TOWARD THE FUTURE
Koontz doesn't want his accident to define his future, and he is determined to not let it hinder him in his goal of graduating in four years.
"As long as his spirits are staying high, he really wants to accomplish that goal." Pam said.
tion. Fittell said that Koontz would often mix climbing with homework, trading off between slack lining and writing a paragraph of a paper.
Koontz will work with the University to make sure he can graduate on time. The dean of the School of Business, Neeli Bendapudi, visited Koontz in the hospital and will continue to work with him while he finishes his requirements.
His friends and family said Koontz has always been a hard worker when it comes to educa-
Matthew Koontz, a senior from Overland Park, was riding his bike across Iowa Street and Harvard Road when he was hit by a truck on Jan. 29. Koontz had bleeding in his brain behind his frontal lobe, and broke his sternum, arm, and all of the ribs on his left side.
Overland Park senior Josie Harmon, a member of the Undergraduate Anthropology Association, said the department of anthropology will also be closely involved in the process.
POSITIVITY AND STRENGTH
Through the rock climbing club, climbing has become more than a hobby for Matt. He regularly travels and climbs with his friends.
Erin Eifler, a senior from Lawrence, remembers the first climbing trip she went on with Koontz.
"I was completely new and I didn't know anybody, and Matt spent his entire first day of the trip
. . . teaching me how to do stuff.
He was so ridiculous patient,
she said. "He didn't even think
twice about spending the whole
day teaching me stuff"
Josie Harmon found out about the accident from Koontz's mother
the day it happened
"I didn't realize how bad it really was until I got to the hospital the next day and he was maybe two hours out of conscious. He was already laughing and smiling and fully aware," she said.
to make it through the recovery process.
"He's super strong. I feel like that dude can do anything," Harmon said. "He's overcome so much in his life."
His friends believe that Koontz's positive attitude will enable him
Edited by Brian Sisk
students from receiving tuition is stalled in the Kansas House of Representatives, it is anticipated to be debated once more during this session of the Kansas Legislature. The proposed measure would double tuition for these students, affecting approximately 600 Kansas students.
SENATE FROM PAGE 2
"The stance that we have is that these students want to participate in the economy by getting their degree and participate in society,"
George said. "We should make it easier for them because we know that people who do not have a college degree increase their chances of being in poverty or getting into crime."
CONCEALED CARRY ON CAMPUS
With the likelihood of legislation being introduced to allow concealed carry weapons on the campus of Kansas schools this session, Bolton said the student lobby will advocate against such measures. While University police and faculty
are opposed to conceal carry on campus. Bolton said the primary reason for lobbying on this issue was to represent current University policy prohibiting students carrying weapons on campus. Student Senate passed a resolution opposing concealed and carry on campus on Feb. 6.
"There wasn't a huge opposition in our stance to oppose it," Bolton said.
Edited by Julie Etzler
HARP FROM PAGE 2
She has spent the weekend balancing social networking, experiencing the major LA attractions and embracing the music industry.
"It makes me happy to play it and happy to produce this thing that gets to people without using words," Lewis said.
For Lewis, the future holds a career devoted to music — maybe with a position at an interactive learning experience like the
Grammy Museum or maybe as a music teacher.
"I called my music teacher from elementary school when I got invited to the Grammys and thanked her," Shelby said. "I didn't talked to her in about 10 years, but I called her and thanked her because I remember taking choir and playing recorders and I thought it was the coolest thing in elementary school. She made it fun."
Lewis thinks it's important to foster fine arts programs in schools to give kids a creative outlet.
Tomorrow is Abraham Lincoln's 204th birthday. Lincoln was particularly fond of Kansas. Sadly, his assassination happened in 1865, the same year
that KU was established.
POLICE REPORTS
- A 33-year-old male was arrested Saturday at the 500 block of Michigan Street on suspicion of operating under the influence and no proof of automobile insurance. He was released on a $600 bond.
- A 34-year-old male was arrested Saturday at the 2400 block of Crossgate Drive on suspicion of domestic battery and violation of a protective order. He was released on a $2500 bond.
- A 27-year-old male was arrested Saturday at the 3600 block of Brushcreek Drive on suspicion of criminal damage to property valued at $250. He was released on a $250 bond.
- A 31-year-old female was arrested Saturday at the 1400 block of North 1082 Road on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. She was released on a $250 bond.
— Nikki Wentling
In the meantime, she's enjoying her opportunity to explore music.
"These people from California are giving suburban Missourians a chance at something so great and really want to foster that and promote that we are a city of important things," Lewis said. "Especially with the building of the Kauffman Center and the Sprint Center, Kansas City is getting back on the map. And hopefully this program will put us back on the music map."
Edited by Tara Bryant