3 December 2021

Nathaniel seems more aware. We put a new doorbell button on the side of Nathaniel's bed so that he could call the caregivers if he needs or wants anything. Nathaniel rang the bell and the caregiver went to him. Nathaniel had a big smile. He asked if everything was okay or if he needed something. Everything was fine. The caregiver left. A bit later, the bell rang again. Nathaniel had a big smile. One night, at 3:00 a.m., the bell rang. Nathaniel just wanted someone to sit with him until he fell asleep. Another night, he called. Ends up that he discovered where the buttons to his “hospital” bed are and he made it go up as high as it could. He called the caregiver to fix it. I think he is going to love this new device.

Nathaniel’s eyes are only able to move from the left side to the center. It seems he only has peripheral vision. When he wants to look in front of him, he has to turn his head to the side. We saw a neuro ophthalmologist. He asked Nathaniel to watch and follow his fingers as he moved them from one side of Nathaniel’s head to the other. I held his head so that only his eyes could move. He also asked Nathaniel to show how many he held up (he spoke in English because he is Canadian so why break his teeth if Nathaniel will understand him?). Nathaniel mirrored the number of fingers. The eye doctor asked him again to tell him how many fingers (he held up two). Nathaniel said, "two". I didn't hear it, but the eye doctor said, "Oh, I didn't know he could speak." I told him that I didn't know either. Because Nathaniel is doing so well, the neuro ophthalmologist and the neurosurgeon recommended that we consider strabismus surgery to fix the eyes so they look forward.

At a community Hanukkah party, Nathaniel was honored with lighting the Hanukkah menorah. It was the oil kind that needs a separate candle to light the others. Nathaniel was able to blow out the candle! He has been working with blowing out his breath in music therapy. Finally he got it. In order to speak, he needs to be able to control his breathing.