Lake Worth, Florida. United States, May, 2009. Michael Virginia is seen here playing with his father (arms seen in the photograph) Among the many things, including being in the water and listening to the speakers, Michael enjoys being tossed in the air by his dad. Paul Virgina, Michael's father, comes back every day from work and one of the first things he does is to see Michael.
Lake Worth, Florida. United States, May, 2009. View of Michael's room. All toys on the floor belong to Michael. Though Michael is able to crawl and climb, he would not be able (and it would not be advisable) to try and get toys from the shelves (visible on the middle right) Michael's legs are visible in the photograph.
Lake Worth, Florida. United States, June, 2009. Paul Virginia, Michael's father, changes his diapers at their home.
Lake Worth, Florida. United States, June, 2009. Paul helps Michael develop his balance. Michael can give some steps forwards but still needs work on his balance as he tends to fall. Abby and Paul take the care and development of Michael fairly loosely but not without dedication. They believe Michael's progress in movement and ability to move around are because they never 'babied' him and also because he has mimicked plenty of things from Gabby, his younger sister.
Lake Worth, Florida. United States, June, 2009. Abby and Paul Virginia cooking dinner at their kitchen. The Virginia family live in a mobile home which has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen with incorporated dining space and a living room.
Lake Worth, Florida. United States, June, 2009. Michael Virginia lying on the floor next to his brother, PJ. Michael and PJ share the same room. There is a double deck bed where Michael has the lower mattress and PJ the upper. Michael can crawl from and climb onto his bed. Michael has a routine of waking up at around 6am, by when either Paul or Abby must attend to him until the babysitter arrives before they leave to work.
Lake Worth, Florida. United States, June, 2009. Michael Virginia in his room going towards the window. Michael's physique shows well how he is physically developing and thus able to move around freely and without much difficulty.
Lake Worth, Florida. United States, June, 2009. Paul Virginia plays with Michael with one of Michael's favourite toys, a horn. Michael loves the horn's sound and Paul, besides just making the horn sound he also tickles Michael with it and thus making Michael burst into laughter.
Lake Worth, Florida. United States, June, 2009. Gabby and Michael Virginia playing in Michael's room. According to Abby and Paul, Gabby's up bringing with Michael has helped him in develop psychologically and she treats him with much love and affection.
Lake Worth, Florida. United States, June, 2009. Portrait of Michael Virginia having a bath. One of his favourite 'activities' is bathing. Michael loves the feel of running water, and apparently also the sound of it. Like many other children with Cerebral Palsy, being in the water is one thing that is always welcomed with a smile and in a good mood.
Lake Worth, Florida. United States, June, 2009. Michael Virginia being picked up by his father and about to get into the pool. This pool is part of the communal social area which is in the mobile home park where the Virginia's live. Abby, seen in the far background, leaves to get protective sun lotion for Michael and Paul.
Lake Worth, Florida. United States, June, 2009. Photograph taken to the Virginia children placed next to the dining table. Clockwise from top left, Paul J. Virginia (16), Michaela Virginia (10), Gabby Virginia (2) and Michael Virginia (7).