Spring break with Ilan

This past week I have been on Spring Break and it has been amazing being home with the family especially Ilan. Besides his normal routine of therapy and classes, Ilan, my mom and I took a special trip to the beach with nahla. Whenever he has free time, Ilan likes going to the beach and feeling the breeze in his hair while checking out for some girls! Sadly, this time Ilan said he did not find any cute girls but he did say he had fun time walking along Ocean Blvd. with us holding onto nahla. He even picked out places and poses for some of the pictures above. 

In therapy this week, Ilan started pre-gate work which involved him stepping up on to a wooden block. Along with the two therapists, I stood him up and aided him in taking his first step up. After a couple practice runs, he did it all by himself. He had a huge smile on his face knowing that he accomplished something new. Also at home, he has been slowly moving his right arm.

We also played: texas hold em, backgammon, hangman, tic tac toe, and spelling this week on his white board. Using his left hnad, he beat me in texas hold em and backgammon both times. He enjoys playing hangman and tic tac toe while he is in the stander at home laughing at the funny words that we tell him to solve.

Ilan visited friends at Milken yesterday

The picture with his 2 friends was taken a week ago after he played backgammon with his brother David.  The next picture is one of Ilan standing with the help of his brother Jarone and both of them giving the victory sign.
Thanks to the kind cooperation and assistance of Milken administration and  students, Ilan (along with his brother David and Mom) yesterday visited his Milken classmates at lunchtime.  Later in the evening, when asked if he enjoyed the meeting he responded by strongly nodding his head.  His brother David told us how well organized the meeting was and also about the tremendous outpouring of positive energy Ilan received from the friends and students he met.  All evening yesterday and also today Ilan has been happy and relaxed like he just returned from a long vacation; he has that extra drive to improve himself.  In our eyes, the meeting has had a very positive impact on Ilan.  We pray that the meeting was also positive for all the MCHS students who made time during their lunch break to meet and chat with Ilan.

THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!

David, Jarone, Michal, Estelle and Brian

Sharper by the day!

Ilan is now back to being the sociable person he always was.  One of his brothers friends, who used to teach Ilan guitar many years ago,  came to visit the other day; Ilan immediately broke into a huge smile and followed him with his eyes all across the room till he reached Ilan whereupon he immediately stuck his left hand out to give him a handshake!

Also, two friends from Milken and Camp Ramah came to visit last weekend.  Ilan was delighted to have them over and did not stop showing his enthusiasm to them until he got quite tired about 1-1/2 hours later.  During their visit we asked Ilan if he would like to visit all his classmates at Milken and for the 1st time he strongly nodded his desire to do so.  He will visit Milken tomorrow with David and Estelle!! 

Ilan has joined us for lunch at restaurants a few times during the past 2 weeks.  He also went to see "Slum Dog Millionaire"; he sat thru about half the movie then intimated it was too loud for him and we left.  

Ilan is now enjoying playing many board games and winning at most of them, no jokes.  He has played backgammon several times with his brothers and Dad; he enjoys playing.  He has also played chess once with Dad for about 15 minutes; he remembered all the moves and was busy planning many traps!!  Additionally he is playing cards (hearts, 21, poker, texas hold em, etc), tic tac doe, checkers, and dominoes .  Just this evening he played texas hold em with a friend and was busy going "all in" at every second opprtunity, chuckling each time he did so.   

David has taught him to write, using his left hand, many letters in the alphabet and a few small words on a white board. Jarone has helped him with many workouts including standing and arm/leg movements.  Michal coaxes him to talk and Estelle takes good care of him all the time.  

 Written by:  Dad