A Leg Up--Part 2

Looks like we have another working leg! Today, Neil was able to lift his left leg a little when his dad asked him to. It seems to take him a few seconds to remember how to do it, and sometimes he can't seem to get it, but this is how his right leg started, so we're expecting great things to follow this new accomplishment.

Scott is getting good at lifting Neil back and forth between his bed and his chair--something I have to get the aides to do. When Scott is here, he likes to hold Neil up in a standing position for a short time before putting him down--just to get some strength in those legs. It's a heart-warming thing to see him standing tall again, if only for a few seconds. It's been a long time.

Although we haven't seen the spontaneous smile again, we feel like it will be showing itself again soon. Neil seems to be finding other ways to make his feelings known besides words and facial expressions. He gives occasional hugs without being asked, and will sometimes lift Mom or Dad's hand to his cheek, presumably for us to stroke it. But he'll also push us away if we're infringing on his space. And of course, Alison already mentioned his way of letting me know he's had enough reading for now :-)