Jonathan Cooper Update

Thank you for your prayers for Jonathan. These last couple of days have been better with less worry and fretting over everything. Jonathan has done a great job in his therapy classes this week. Monday we were in the gym working on the machines. He worked mostly on the treadmill, walking for 12 minutes forward, and then she had him try walking backward, and side to side on each side. It was pretty tough, especially walking backward, but he was a trooper and did a great job with it. He also played a game while supporting himself on his knees. She continues to work with him on his balance and walking. He played a game while standing and balancing and walked up and down two flights of stairs. She also plays a game with him where she drops round, colorful discs along the floor and has him walk to each one and stop on the disc and get his balance before moving to the next one. When he relaxes his arms, he walks perfectly. If he gets tense and draws up his arms, he pulls the the right side and loses his balance. So we are working to help him relax his arms while walking. I can't tell you how incredibly awesome it is to watch him walk toward you, without his walker, looking like a normal person! It will bring praise to your lips every time. So overall, he is doing very well and making great progress in his physical therapy. I believe we may have found a pediatric opthamologist for Jonathan to see. He is in the same building as the therapy office and we have gotten wonderful recommendations about him. We should be getting an appointment with him in the next week or two, as soon as the referral gets processed. Please begin to pray now for this doctor, Dr. Beauchamp, that he will be exactly the person we need to give Jonathan the help and the tools he needs to improve his vision.
Please continue to pray for Jonathan. Pray for increased strength in his right leg and foot and also in his stomach muscles. Tightening up the stomach muscles will also help with his balance, and they are pretty weak right now as well. Continue to pray for his attitude and state of mind. Pray that peace and contentment will reign and that fear and worry will flee. Pray that we will have wisdom to help with this and to help him mentally grow with each passing day. Pray for our visit with the opthamologist, that we will be able to get the help and tools we need to assist Jonathan and help him see better. Pray for the complete healing of his brain, vision and diabetes. Thank you for your constant intercession. God continues to hear and answer. Praise His Name!