Paul's Update - 07/24/06

Dear Friends:

Our progress continues ... today was another great day! Paul was sitting on the swing with Tabby this morning. It was a beautiful day. Tabby had Max outside with them. She took a picture with her cell phone and handed Paul the phone to see it. He took the phone and held it up to his hear and said "Hello"!! Tabby & Dora were so surprised!! This is another new word for Paul. Nobody was on the phone so he put the phone down. Tabby got Dad to call him from inside the house. When the phone rang she answered it and gave the phone to Paul and said "it's for you". He took the phone and said "hello" but didn't hear anybody so he went to put it back down and Dad said "Paul" so he put the phone back up to his ear and Dad said "do you want ketchup on your hotdog?". Paul said "yeah". Dad then asked "do you want relish too?" and Paul said "OK". When Dad said "bye" Paul turned off the phone and put it down! It was a great event. Later this evening Tabby took a washcloth and balled it up and tossed it to Paul. He couldn't catch it but when she said "throw it to me" he reached his arm slowly up over his head and pitched it to her!! He did that a couple of times. Then she tried a rubber ball but he had trouble with that. He could grab it but he couldn't throw it. She found a small football and tossed it to him. It hit him and fell on his right side onto the bed. He took his right hand and stretched his arm almost straight out and handed it back to her. He is doing more gripping with his right hand. We are so encouraged by his use of that hand. The doctor called tonight to see how he is doing with the medicine increase. Dad told him about the things Paul is doing. He was very encouraged by the improvements. Tonight Dad had Paul get back in bed by himself when they returned from the bathroom. Then he pushed himself up to the top of the bed with Dad's assistance. Tonight Tabby tried to get Paul to answer the phone when she called but he had trouble getting the button pushed to answer it. This will take a bit more practice. Tonight before we left Dad & Tabby had Paul try to get out of bed by himself. He positioned himself, got to the edge of the bed (after much struggle), he used his arm to steady himself and used his stomach muscles to pull himself to a sitting position, then put his feet on the floor. Tabby got him to lean forward and he stood up all by himself ... then walked to the bathroom. It was exhausting just watching him ... whew! Dad & Tabby are very patient and persistent! Paul seems like he really WANTS to work hard. Needless to say ... this makes us want to continue to work hard with Paul. So many good things are happening ... I don't even mention most of the time. Most of them seem small but they are so wonderful to see. He problem solves and tries to do things that are normal to you and me. What a blessing!!!

Have a great day! Lynne & Carl