The Gift of Therapy For Nathaniel
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On June 3rd we will be celebrating Nathaniel’s FIRST Birthday. We know that some of our friends and family are wanting to give him a gift to celebrate. We thought it might be helpful if we told you what the perfect birthday gift for Nathaniel is - therapy.
The purpose of this page is not to make anyone feel guilty or like they have to give a gift to Nathaniel. No matter what, Scott and I will make sure that he receives the care and therapy he needs. We only created this page because we know that so many of you love Nathaniel and might have been considering sending him a gift for his birthday. Providing Nathaniel with therapy sessions is the best birthday gift you can give him.
The reason Nathaniel needs therapy is due to his developmental delay. This delay is caused by the fact that Nathaniel has a rare genetic disorder called CDKL5, which results in difficult to control seizures like Infantile Spasms, which even with medication, causes Nathaniel to have 20 or more seizures a day. CDKL5 has also resulted in Nathaniel having vision impairment, sleep problems and severe neurodevelopment impairment. To learn more about CDKL5, please check out http://www.cdkl5.com/About-CDKL5/Default.aspx
Nathaniel began physical and occupational therapy in December of last year when he was six months old and we have been blessed with amazing therapist who truly care about Nathaniel and his success. When he began therapy in December he was severely delayed. Some of things he couldn’t do at six months was hold his head up, make eye contact, reach or even bat at toys, and track with his eyes. In addition, he didn’t laugh, smile or babble. Every week while at therapy, Scott and I are taught and coached on different techniques for how to work with Nathaniel at home. We then spend 3 hours or more throughout the day doing therapy with Nathaniel at home.
Now for the good news! We are so happy to say that Nathaniel has had amazing success with improving his development. He now makes eye contact, sits up on his own for a short period of time, sits up comfortably supported, does some tracking with his eyes, has greatly improved his social interaction, can roll over with assistance, reaches for toys and more! He loves to smile and laugh, loves to listen to music and “sing” along and loves to hear people talk to him. It’s extremely difficult to play with Nathaniel and not find yourself laughing with him at all the wonders that he experiences every day! We know we still have a long way to go, but when we look at how far this little guy has come in just six short months it blows our minds. We are so excited for the future and we love watching Nathaniel grow and develop a little more every day – despite his diagnosis!
We are planning to have two birthday celebrations for Nathaniel this summer that will be open to any of our friends or family who are able to join us. We want to get together with everyone to celebrate Nathaniel and all that he has overcome and accomplished in the last year. The first celebration will be a large BBQ at the Minnick Farm in Chillicothe, Missouri on July 4th . The second will be in Livingston, Tennessee at the Murphy Farm (date is TBD). We hope you plan to join us at one of the parties. Be sure to check out Scott and I’s Facebook for more details.
We are so grateful for each of you. Thank you for your support and prayers.
Thank you for having HOPE for Nathaniel.
The purpose of this page is not to make anyone feel guilty or like they have to give a gift to Nathaniel. No matter what, Scott and I will make sure that he receives the care and therapy he needs. We only created this page because we know that so many of you love Nathaniel and might have been considering sending him a gift for his birthday. Providing Nathaniel with therapy sessions is the best birthday gift you can give him.
The reason Nathaniel needs therapy is due to his developmental delay. This delay is caused by the fact that Nathaniel has a rare genetic disorder called CDKL5, which results in difficult to control seizures like Infantile Spasms, which even with medication, causes Nathaniel to have 20 or more seizures a day. CDKL5 has also resulted in Nathaniel having vision impairment, sleep problems and severe neurodevelopment impairment. To learn more about CDKL5, please check out http://www.cdkl5.com/About-CDKL5/Default.aspx
Nathaniel began physical and occupational therapy in December of last year when he was six months old and we have been blessed with amazing therapist who truly care about Nathaniel and his success. When he began therapy in December he was severely delayed. Some of things he couldn’t do at six months was hold his head up, make eye contact, reach or even bat at toys, and track with his eyes. In addition, he didn’t laugh, smile or babble. Every week while at therapy, Scott and I are taught and coached on different techniques for how to work with Nathaniel at home. We then spend 3 hours or more throughout the day doing therapy with Nathaniel at home.
Now for the good news! We are so happy to say that Nathaniel has had amazing success with improving his development. He now makes eye contact, sits up on his own for a short period of time, sits up comfortably supported, does some tracking with his eyes, has greatly improved his social interaction, can roll over with assistance, reaches for toys and more! He loves to smile and laugh, loves to listen to music and “sing” along and loves to hear people talk to him. It’s extremely difficult to play with Nathaniel and not find yourself laughing with him at all the wonders that he experiences every day! We know we still have a long way to go, but when we look at how far this little guy has come in just six short months it blows our minds. We are so excited for the future and we love watching Nathaniel grow and develop a little more every day – despite his diagnosis!
We are planning to have two birthday celebrations for Nathaniel this summer that will be open to any of our friends or family who are able to join us. We want to get together with everyone to celebrate Nathaniel and all that he has overcome and accomplished in the last year. The first celebration will be a large BBQ at the Minnick Farm in Chillicothe, Missouri on July 4th . The second will be in Livingston, Tennessee at the Murphy Farm (date is TBD). We hope you plan to join us at one of the parties. Be sure to check out Scott and I’s Facebook for more details.
We are so grateful for each of you. Thank you for your support and prayers.
Thank you for having HOPE for Nathaniel.
Organizer
Katie Murphy Minnick
Organizer
Disputanta, VA