Sinai Friends Come for a Visit

When we told Ilan that some more of his friends were coming to visit last weekend he became very excited.  He helped select the chips and sodas that he wanted served to his friends and had a smile on his face all afternoon before they arrived.  He was a little shy when they did come but he managed a few smiles and furtive glances at them.  The girls that visited were all classmates from Sinai Akiba and also from Milken.  He really enjoyed their company, their smiling faces and discussions with him.  He actually played a joke on them because when they asked him if he remembered them he responded with a "no" using his eyes.  Yet after that when we gave him the wrong names for each of the girls and asked him if that was their name, he shrugged his shoulders and laughed!  When they left Ilan grew quite sad - we asked him why he was sad and we were able to find out later it was because he was not able to speak with them! 

Ilan is looking his best in a long time and has an interested look on his face at all times - he is also becoming very keen on improving his ability to move and communicate.  Just this weekend he learned how to shake his head to respond "no" and nod his head for "yes".   He hasn't lost his humor - he has played a few pranks on us by giving the wrong answers on purpose and chuckling loudly when we look at him with a perplexed look.   Also, now that he has better control of his left arm he is able to shake hands well and give and receive a ball; these are huge steps for Ilan!! 

Ilan goes for an evaluation in February to determine if he is able to proceed to the next stage of his rehab - we believe that he is now ready and hope that the doctors feel the same way.  

Dad-Brian