Sam blinked both of his eyes at the same time, a few times. That is a brain stem function.  In therapies, he seemed more alert and cooperative. 

I've noticed Sam moving his legs around much more - almost like he's playing with them, trying to see what they can do.  He's also MUCH more responsive to sound.  Screams at me all the time now when I'm too loud.  And I'm often too loud.   

Sam's movement while he's sleeping is much more significant.  And his hat doesn't fit anymore - his head grew, which means his brain grew.

Sam was markedly more flexible during therapy.

Tim and I went to The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia and learned some new tricks.

Sam and I were able to sit together and "read" a picture book with black and white images!

Not sure exactly when it happened, but I realized Sam's light reflex is normal now.

Sam's knee-jerk reflex is back!

 

Sam started seeing Dr Hammesfahr in Clearwater. 

 

Sam started reiki therapy in Zephyrhills.

Sam is making much more eye contact.  He is following objects more with his eyes, and is tracking lighted objects in the dark.  He needs much less suctioning in general, and is just generally doing better.  He is complaining much more about suctioning - yelling when it happens - and sometimes when he hears the machine turn on he swallows instead so we don't have to use it. 

 

Sam knows that he has legs and feet!  In the doctor's waiting room on March 23, he wiggled his toes independently, one at a time. He had never done that before; I believe he was doing it because he is now aware that he has them - why else does anyone do that except that we can?  Now when he sits in his chair in the evenings he will lift  his legs up, one at a time, higher and higher - I believe just to play with his legs. 

 

Sam is blinking more, and has begun rolling over in his sleep to the right, as well as to the left. 

 

He is vocalizing throughout the day, not just to complain anymore.   

Sam has muscle tone in his legs!  It must be from the ABR - we're not doing anything else that could cause that.

 

In physical therapy, Sam has begun sitting unsupported!  He "long-sits", which means his legs are straight out in front of him; apparently, it's the hardest position. 

 

Sam is able to "long-sit" for about 8 minutes at a time, as long as he knows someone is paying attention to him. 

 

During vision therapy, Sam correctly identified the numbers of animals on different pages of a book by choosing a corresponding card.  BIG STUFF!