29 October 2023

With the war, Nathaniel's therapy schedule has changed. He used to go twice a week to Jerusalem for communication/speech/occupational therapy, but with the potential for red alerts, we were concerned with the travel (1–2 hours each way depending on traffic). So, we tried Zoom lessons. WOW! They are working out really well. The therapist asks questions and presents options on the screen. One of the caregivers sits next to Nathaniel to say the option he has chosen. Sometimes, after hearing what was said, Nathaniel will shake his head that he didn't want that option, so they try again. He also can type a bit but needs help holding up his arm and tapping the exact letter without holding it down too long. He knows where the letters are located on the keyboard, and he recognizes them if they are on the screen. He also uses gestures to respond. He can see his screen and knows to raise his hand high enough so that the therapist can see it. Nathaniel went to a clubhouse coordinated by and for injured soldiers. It's not a therapy facility, but rather a place to hang with friends. There is a gym and a pool and other amenities. He recognized his friends and was happy to see them. However, when there was a red alert, they had to carry him down the stairs to the safe room. The guys made it fun, like a groom at a wedding when the guests raise the chair in the air. With the speech therapist, he is practicing blowing a whistle. It takes a lot of concentration to hold the whistle with just his lips and then breathe out with force. He is getting much better. His music therapist is also working on humming.