9 November 2025

Nathaniel has an app on his iPad with the morning prayers written down while a recording reads the words. Nathaniel follows along with his finger. Sometimes he loses concentration and looks away from the screen. Still, when he looks back at the screen, he easily finds his place and continues to follow along.

Traditionally, we cover our eyes with our right hand when reciting the Shema prayer. Since Netanel is not able to move his right arm yet, he would cover his eyes with his left hand for the Shema prayer. Now, he uses his left hand to raise his right hand to cover his eyes. He knows it is more appropriate for him to use his right hand, and now he can. He also lifts his right arm to place it properly on the armrest of the wheelchair with his left arm. Sometimes we have to remind him, but he knows what to do.

For a while now, on Friday night, at kiddush, Nathaniel nodded every time it was appropriate to say, "amen". Now, sometimes he says, out loud, "AMEN"!

Every time he leaves his apartment, he reaches for the mezuzah. He often reaches up when he leaves other doorways as well.

Nathaniel's swallowing reflex is still quite weak, and he has been struggling with drinking liquids but has made great improvements. We are now adding less thickener to his water since he is on his way to being able to drink regular water. Once he masters this the next step, we will work on increasing the quantity of water that he can drink.