A Towne Lake family is praising a trip to China as the beginning of a new life for their special needs son.

Davis O'Brien, the 4-year-old son of Scott and Lynn O'Brien, has made great strides since returning from a trip to China to undergo stem cell therapy, according to his mother.

The therapy, which uses stem cells harvested from umbilical cords - not the more controversial embryonic stem cells - is believed by some experts to repair damaged tissue.

In the U.S., the therapy is performed to help damage from blood diseases, but not damage related to brain injuries.

Mrs. O'Brien said Davis now has more trunk and head control and is now aware of his surroundings.

"He's doing phenomenally," she added. "This is huge."

Scott and Lynn O'Brien of Eagle Watch raised the $45,000 to fly their son to China in February for the therapy to repair cells damaged by an eight-hour seizure three days after receiving his one-year vaccinations.

The seizure caused global brain damage, which rendered Davis almost completely blind and unable to eat, drink, sit up or hold his head up without assistance. His vision problem is called cortical vision impairment - the eyes and optic nerves appear normal, but he does not have normal vision or visual perception.

Before the therapy, Davis suffered from about 30 petit mal and subclinical seizures on a daily basis.

Now, Davis is eating three pureed meals a day, is able to chew and swallow softer foods and now only has one type of seizures between 15 and 20 times a day.

Along with being able to sit up for up to 20 seconds unassisted, Davis is now making more verbal noises and his vision is returning.

Davis spent 38 days in China and underwent eight treatments.

Mrs. O'Brien said her husband and her three older sons have also been amazed at Davis' progress.

She added Davis is also interacting more with his brothers and tries to follow their voices whenever they are in the same room with him.

The O'Briens have been so impressed that they are also raising another $45,000 to make another trip to China in January. They also have set up a Web site, which is at www.davisgoestochina.com.

Mrs. O'Brien said she's organizing a concert in Davis' honor that will be conducted in November at Hobgood Park's amphitheatre.

Mrs. O'Brien also said Davis' doctors have given the family positive remarks about Davis' condition.

"They are amazed at the difference," she said.

Davis' physical therapist is also amazed at the results.

Kelly Hidalgo, co-owner of In Harmony Pediatric Therapy, said she's seen a difference in Davis' condition since returning from China.

She said he's now able to roll over by himself, eat from a spoon and hold onto toys for a longer period of time.

"He's making great strides," she said, adding Davis is "a joy" to work with.

Davis visits Ms. Hidalgo once a week where he receives gait training and performs assisted walking on a treadmill, standing and walking activities and practices trunk control and sitting.

He also has speech and music therapy at In Harmony.

Mrs. O'Brien said she believes Davis will continue to progress and will begin to lead a normal life.

Three years ago, she said, doctors informed her and her husband that Davis will only "lie in a bean bag chair for the rest of his life."

It was something she and her husband would not accept.

"We definitely think he'll continue to progress," she said.