This month's newsletter is a culmination of previous updates. Just last month, we mentioned how some things happen for a reason. Many of those things have come together.

Remember the picture to the left? This was from the August 2009 newsletter. We were so excited that Jake was pulling himself into the standing position using his ballpit. It's amazing to see what a few months of determination can do. Click on the picture or this link to see the video of Jake now pulling himself into the ballpit. He's been trying for about a month, it's so cool.

Jake had his MRI and the results were refreshing. There was not an increase in the ventricular cavity from the last MRI in 2005. This is great, because we know his brain is not under any pressure or causing any pain. However, we still do not know why he continues to headbang. The neurologist explained to us that in many cases drugs are prescribed for children like Jake who self-injure. She gave us a few different medicinal options to think about. In the meantime, we are willing to exhaust all other options before even thinking about giving him another drug. Jake’s Behavioral therapist continues to work on Jake's communication skills so that he may express himself accordingly.

Shortly after we were approached at dinner last month about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, a friend had informed us of the same Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber that was available locally. Jen and I were talking about how HBOT kept coming up. After the Neurologist suggested drugs, our decision was easy. Jake had his first HBOT Treament on January 30th and did just fine. The picture to the right is Jake inside the actual chamber. He's now scheduled for 40 visits running through the end of March. HBOT is a very promising therapy. What's even more amazing is that the value is greater than $20,000, but it's free! All thanks to a very kind family who has 3 chambers in their living room, serving 24 patients per day. Learn more about, or support their cause, by visiting their website.

As usual, Jake will likely be the first Congenital Muscular Dystrophy patient to ever try HBOT therapy. We've searched everywhere on the net and can't find any reference. Jake was also the first CMD kid to try Therasuit and that was very beneficial for him.

Thank you for continuing to support Jake and the people at Cure CMD who are trying to find a treatment or cure his disease. We appreciate all of you very much!