Nathaniel has been showing signs of recognizing people and reacting to family members and friends. One day when I told him that Rav Uzi was coming, he started to smile. He sometimes smiles when his friends come. Today the ultimate proof of this happened. Nathaniel was strapped to the standing bed (it is like a plank that goes from horizontal to ~85° vertical so that he gets the feeling of being upright. It is also good for his circulation). Joe said to Nathaniel, “Let’s take a picture.” All of a sudden Nathaniel lifted his left arm (as of now he only has control over his left arm and leg) and put it around Joe’s head and onto his shoulder! It sure looked like Nathaniel was hugging his father as best he could.
In physical therapy, he is advancing to a device to help him walk. It is like a walker, but offers much more support to Nathaniel. He can lean on it and then learn to move his legs in a walking motion. It is exciting to see him standing and "walking", even if two therapists are supporting him.