Another Blogger?

Given the opportunity, I'm sure Jack would be quite the blogger - he definitely has his mother's fondness for the computer. However, don't count him out just yet. I've been in search of a way for Jack to communicate that is not dependent on this physical strength. Right now, Jack's only means for letting us know (in a way that can be documented) what's going on in that head of his is with switches that are mounted on his wheelchair. On a good day, Jack has the strength to tap the correct switch the correct number of times to activate the computer mouse or the pre-programmed response on the switch. I've always felt that Jack's inability to communicate is due to his physical weakness, not his intelligence. I believe this because Jack's communication skills were much greater prior to his anoxic event -- he could sign, he could say a few words and he could accurately move along his communication board and easily activate it. I don't know whether his anoxic event stole some of his intelligence or just his strength. Jack's neurologist won't give me a straight answer when I ask - she takes the position that she can't say whether Jack present condition is due to his event or his disease. I think she is just trying to save us from additional guilt and pain because, regardless of why ... it is what it is.

Anyway, I digress.......

I think I've finally found a device that will give Jack his one shot at letting us know what's in that head of his. It's a computer that is activated by a person's eyes. This is not the same as the computer system where the user has the dot on his forehead -- that doesn't work for Jack because he can't move his head. The reason this other system might work is because it requires that the individual not move his head and only use his eyes. The system is used widely by adults who have ALS and have lost the ability to move a single muscle in their body, but their mind is still intact. I was given the name of a professor at Arizona State University who might be able to help Jack test the system. Interestingly, after I got the contact information for this professor, Jack was assigned a new speech therapist who I found out trained under this person. The new speech therapist has worked with Jack only once, but she agrees the "light is on" and she thinks it would be worth a shot to try it. She is going to contact the ASU professor and see if we can set something up. I'll give you more specifics about how the system works once we know Jack gets to test it.

I may be setting myself up for disappointment, but if I don't give Jack the chance, how will I ever know? I'd rather be wrong than miss the opportunity if in fact Jack has the intelligence to convey his thoughts via words on a computer. I'll keep you posted.

As you can see, I thought it was time for a new look on the blog. Blogger has all these cool customization features now and I'm sure I'll be playing around with the template all weekend. I did make the text bigger because I don't know about the rest of you, but I have a heck of a time reading my posts because the words are so small. I've got to believe there are a few others of you out there who might appreciate the larger text :-)

For those who wanted to see pictures of Mary's "new" room -- it's still a work in progress. We need to do some more painting this weekend and, now that the room is all new colors -- she needs new furniture to go with it (of course!) After it's all finished, I promise to share pictures. Stay tuned.

Have a great weekend.