WVII 7 Story

WVII 7 did a story on Ken last night. I will put the link on the top of the blog!

http://titancast2.titantv.com/bfa5778cf5404412befde1cc84050b36/60059/share.aspx

Matthew Faiella--First Autistic Child To Have Stem Cells

Daniel Faiella, Matthew's father, has been generous in his time talking to us about stem cells. He was a great help and without him, we would not know that this treatment exists!


Their blog is www.RecoveringMatthew.Blogspot.Com

Ken--Ordinary Miracle--Do You Want To See A Miracle?????

As I look back at the past year, I am taken aback with all of the changes in my son. He has emerged daily before our eyes. Look at the story that WABI did today to see him read!

Here is the link for today's story on Ken--Bangor Maine

Stem Cell Treatment Doing Wonders For Autistic Glenburn Boy - WABI TV5

...
Life is like a gift they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up and find a way
To give some of your own

Isn't it remarkable?
Like every time a raindrop falls
It's just another ordinary miracle today

Birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It's just another ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday
Please don't throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
Cause we are all a part
Of the ordinary miracle

Do you want to see a miracle?

Its seems so exceptional
Things just work out after all
It's just another ordinary miracle today

The sun comes up and shines so bright
It disappears again at night
It's just another ordinary miracle today...

Ken is involved with an autism research study being done at Children's Hospital Boston. We had a fantastic trip together, just me and him. Every turn I made in the city was followed by a, "Holy cow!" exclamation from him. He kept pointing out all the new things he saw and he asked a ton of questions. He is really doing a lot of new things!

Thanks to Daniel Faiella!

Our family owes a lot of thanks to Daniel Faiella. He has done cord blood stem cells with his son Matthew, and without his story, we would never have known that this treatment exists!

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/Autistic_Orlando_Boy_going_to_Costa_Rica_again_for_treatment

Here is his blog:

www.RecoveringMatthew.Blogspot.Com

KEN IS READING!!!!!!

I AM OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCING THAT KEN IS READING!!!! He started really picking it up in December. Now, he will sit for a couple of hours going through book after book and reading most of the words. I think he is at a beginning level. I never thought I would see the day when he would read. Donald and I have no doubt that this is from the stem cell transplant last summer!

The funny thing is, the gains just keep coming...

Gains Since Stem Cells

Here are some gains that Ken has had since umbilical cord blood stem cells (this is done after the baby is born, no babies were aborted)

1.) Ken is now able to read at the beginner level

2.) More cognition

3.) More abstract thinking

4.) Talks about past events/people who have died (his grandmother died when he was four--this was over four years ago and he talks about her all the time now...

5.) Prays to God to help him when he is out of control (he does this ALL BY HIMSELF--Ken to Caroline, "SHUT UP, CAROLINE!!!!!" Then Ken, under his breath, "Dear Jesus, help me not to say 'shut up' anymore. Thank you. Amen."

6.) Knows birthdays, what day of the week it is, what date it is, what time it is, and how long it will be until something is open or closes (like the water park or mall)

7.) Better sentence structure

8.) Clearer speech

9.) Can do math problems/addition, can write simple sentences

There may be more, I have to think about it. But, I would say that is enough, really.