Earlier this week at therapy Ilan was made to walk up and down stairs for the 1st time. Ilan took this challenge very seriously and performed very well. He also stood up by himself and walked along the inside of parallel bars all by himself. Today he propelled himself on a new wheelchair along the hallways by turning the wheels himself!
On Tuesday of this week Ilan donned his speedo and had swim therapy for almost an hour with the kind assistance of waterpolo coach Niall, Jarone and Michal. Ilan had a huge smile on his face for the entire session and also for the rest of the day. He was made to walk across the pool, lay on his back and kick his legs, and also lay on his stomach and kick his legs. At first he was quite apprehensive of these exercises but with a little coaxing and reassuring comments from his brother, sister and coach Niall, he let go and willingly participated and then some. He will probably get in the pool again this weekend!!
Ilan is making a concentrated effort to begin to speak. He gets on the computer by himself and is determined to soon have private AIM chats with friends by typing by himself!
