Source: NTV   

While the U.S. debates the ethics of stem cell treatment, a Grand Island teen receives adult stem cell treatment in China. NTV brought you the story of Nate Redman before he left.
Four weeks later, he's back.

Wether bouncing a ball, or catching one, Nate Redman can now see and move a little bit better.  Four weeks ago, he had doubts he'd ever see this day.

"I didn't think it would work to be honest, I didn't have much hope."

But after his first of six stem cell treatments, Nate was all smiles.

"It was amazing to see. After the stem cell treatment, the very next day he was better," his mom, Nanette Redman said.

Nate has a genetic disorder, Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 . It hit his body hard this past year, taking his coordination, sight, and speech all downhill.

"I've been dealing with this for a long time. It's a miracle to have hope now to get better," he said.

His miracle was a combination of stem cell injections to his spinal fluid, physical therapy, and
Chinese remedies...like soup, tea, and acupunture.

"I think here we just give into medicine.  They'll try acupunture...anything before they give
medicine," Nate said.

When the treatment gave him unbearable headaches, nurses hooked him up to an IV before finally giving into medicine.

Today, his physical therapist, Travis Hedman with Grand Island Physical Therapy, said Nate's speech has improved 25 percent, his coordination is getting there, and Nate says he can now make out people's faces close-up.

"Before everyone's eyes were black, just two dark spots."

Throughout his daignosis and trip to China, Nate's mom has kept a blog. In China, she updated it daily. In four weeks, it generated more than 400 comments.

"It is kind of exciting and it's fun to be a pioneer in the area and just show what can be
done," she said.

Reporter's Notes: Stacia Kalinoski:

Nate will continue with physical therapy and swimming three days a week. Hedman said he hopes to see more noticable improvements in six months. Meanwhile, his parents are planning another trip to China for more treatment next year.

The procedure uses adult stem cells from an infant's umbilical cord, and while not as controversial as embryonic, both procedures are banned by the FDA.

For a link to NTV's story before Nate left: 

http://www.nebraska.tv/global/story.asp?S=10448521.

Nate's blog:http://stemcellschina.com/blog/NateRedman/