Jake has started receiving Behavior Therapy to learn to better communicate with us by using signs and sounds. Right now it seems that his main form of communication is done with head banging which is dangerous and difficult to tolerate. His therapist believes that with a lot of work and dedication we can get him to express himself in safer ways and communicate his needs in a more appropriate form. After only 4 visits Jake started to drink water independently through a sippy cup. This is something that has been in the works for 5 years but we were able to perfect it with a little help from his therapist.

Jake continues to amaze us regularly. While out of town last week, we stopped at a grocery store and picked up some items. We didn’t have his wheelchair with us so we decided to be brave and try him out in the shopping cart. It was a big surprise to see him sit straight up and balance himself. He loved it. This was such an achievement that we had to stop and take pictures. Other shoppers even stopped to witness and inquire.

We are so thankful to everyone who reads Jake’s newsletters and to those of you who sent us Pediasure coupons. The response was overwhelming. We thought we might get a few, we ended up with a few dozen. As it turned out, we were lucky enough to get a few months supply of Pediasure through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Rest assured that the coupons will not go to waste though. We have donated them to another family whose special needs child also drinks Pediasure. We even told them who the wonderful people were who sent them, you, Jake’s biggest fans.

We are proud to announce that the 100th person just signed up for Jake's newsletter. It's amazing to realize so many folks care about our son.