Paul's Update - 02/20/07

Dear Friends:

Dad had a bit of trouble getting Paul out of bed today. He wasn't interested in doing exercises. He did sit at the edge of the bed for a while ... believe it or not that IS exercise. Paul counted to twenty with Dad. He used his own fingers and counted to ten without any help. He still needs a lot of help getting to twenty. Dad asked Paul if he looked familiar to him. He nodded "yes" but he didn't seem to know who he is. Maybe soon!! Another pretty good day. Paul continues to use new words each day. Tonight when I came in I asked Paul "how are you? He responded with "I ... (something)". I didn't understand what he said but it doesn't matter ... he answered me! When Tabby asked him he said "I am avatol (sp?)". Again ... doesn't make much sense but he said it all by himself! Tabby came in around 7pm. She got Max his bath and played with him a bit before time for bed. Max goes to bed around 8-8:30 every night and he actually goes to bed without much fuss. Tabby worked with names for a bit once Max was in bed. Paul copied her when she said "Tabby" .... then "Mom" but then she pointed to Max ... Paul said "Dad". He wasn't right BUT ... he wasn't copying Tabby ... she hadn't said "Dad" yet!!! A little later I was working with him. I pointed to Paul and said "what is your name?". He couldn't answer so I said "Paul" and he repeated it ... then I pointed to Dad and said "Dad" ... he repeated it. Then I pointed to myself and HE said "Mom"!! He remembered my name from our work before! Paul really likes hugs ... Tabby says "Can I have a hug?" and he nods "yes" so she asks him "what do we do for hugs?" and he holds his arms out and gives her a nice hug. She even told him to squeeze harder and he reached his arms more around her and squeezed harder. Tabby spent some time moving things around this evening. She moved Paul's exercise mat from upstairs to the basement. After she did that she was flexing her muscles ... she asked Paul to show her his muscles. He held up his arm and flexed his muscle!! It was great. When Paul needed to go to the bathroom tonight Tabby asked Paul to stand by himself. He put his hands down on the bed and leaned forward ... and attempted to stand up. He still leans backward as he stands which causes him to fall back a bit. Dad was in front of him and caught him to help him all the way up. It wasn't great but he at least tried by himself. Tabby rearranged the bedroom around a few days ago. Now Paul has to get out of bed on the right side instead of the left. He really does good getting out on that side! He has become very good using his right hand and leg. He even gets back in bed well from that side. I saved the best news for last ... Tabby decided to try to call the speech therapist that we had coming to the house last year. She explained the things that Paul is doing and asked her if she would be willing to come and help Paul. The therapist consented to come out March 10th and will work with him. Tabby will have to pay her without insurance coverage but it will be so worth it ... it is a good investment!! She also won't be bound by the rules the insurance company imposes ... she can work with him whether or not he progresses on any regular schedule. We had been talking about how good it would be to learn from a professional. If we knew what kinds of things a professional would focus on, we can continue to help Paul learn! What a blessing that will be! God is so good to provide such great resources!!

Have a great day, Lynne & Carl