Though Mason Martin was expected to return home from the hospital in late April, the former Karns City Area Jr./Sr. High School quarterback, who collapsed at a game last September, “decided to zig when he was supposed to zag,” his father, Denny Martin said in a Thursday, May 2 update on Facebook.

The latest decision to keep Mason at Children’s Hospital comes after he experienced several episodes of oxygen desaturation last Friday.

“The doctors like to say ‘he writes his own book,’ and I’m sure any medical professional that has worked with him will agree,” Martin said. “But like we have experienced time and time again, every set back has brought on new opportunities. We have no doubt what his future holds because we know who holds it.”

Martin said it had been awhile since his son experienced drops in oxygen levels like he did on Friday of last week. He said the staff ordered a CT scan to check for any neurological change.

“Everything looked good,” Martin said.

Mason is scheduled for a sleep study this weekend, which Martin hopes will provide some answers.

Martin said Mason is continuing to progress daily in his rehab sessions with this week’s highlight being when the teen was able to write and spell his name.

“The occupational therapist asked him to write the letter M,” Martin said. “Once he started doing it, she said, ‘Mason can you spell your name?’

“He was able to go from letter to letter without any assistance.”

Mason has been working on tracing letters and using a program where he slides one dot on top of another on a digital surface.

He also stands for extended periods of time while resting his back against a wall or while leaning on a table.

“I believe his record is 25 minutes,” Martin said. “His leg strength is getting much better as well as his range of motion. He’s working so hard, especially during the sessions that require a lot of concentration.”

Martin posted some videos of his son along with the words to show his son’s determination.

“He just keeps working at it until he gets it,” Martin said.