Nathaniel's first caregiver, Haim, came to Nathaniel’s re-birth party (the anniversary of the terror attack), He hasn't visited Nathaniel for almost a year. Keep in mind that Nathaniel was not fully conscious for the first 7 months of his rehab, during which time Haim took care of him and spoke to time all the time. Nathaniel clearly heard his voice. Without any prompt, at the party, Nathaniel blew Haim a kiss, something he doesn’t usually do.
Nathaniel has made incredible progress in his physical abilities. His spasticity goes up in the cold weather, so it would be expected that his ability to move would be impacted. Well, in the gym, the therapist asked Nathaniel to push the equipment with his right leg while his left leg was immobilized. At first Nathaniel didn't do it, but with encouragement from the therapist, he not only bent his right leg, he also extended it, and more than once! It was not an anomaly.
Nathaniel has a new nephew, but the Brit Mila was delayed so the baby didn’t have a name for a while. Nathaniel’s communication therapist asked him what the name of his new nephew was. He didn’t respond, and she was concerned. She contacted me, and I explained that the baby didn’t have a name yet. She was pleasantly surprised that Nathaniel had answered her appropriately—he didn't know the name. Now the baby has a name and Nathaniel is able to respond with his name.
Nathaniel went to Jerusalem to visit a friend who played the guitar and let Nathaniel strum on it. Later that day they took Nathaniel to communication therapy. When the therapist asked what Nathaniel did earlier that say he typed on his iPad: "Jerusalem" and "guitar".
Nathaniel likes to play games. When he plays Connect Four, he not only thinks of how he can win, but also how he can block his opponent.