Byron had a stroke and lost total use of his right arm and leg.
Couldn't speak.
It's so frustrating having lived your life as an adult and now they can't communicate something as simple as
wanting to go to the bathroom.
[device] I need to go to the bathroom.
Forbes Hospital just recently purchased the Apple iPad
and we're using it for patients that have trouble communicating.
[Device] I had a stroke and have trouble talking.
We also just got certified by Proloquo2go to use it as an Augmentative Communication Device.
[device] I need help.
You use symbols, text, pictures for patients that have trouble communicating.
They point to certain pictures for what they want or need.
You have to tell your nurse "I need to go to the bathroom."
The nurses can understand what he wants. If he's in pain they can find something to give him.
If he want to go to the bathroom, they can get him out of bed.
He's used it now for three days
and he's able to use it for his drinks, food, and to express his name and where he lives.
He's repeating what he's hearing on this machine.
I want a Diet coke.
Just today I witnessed words that he's saying now that he hasn't said before.
He's saying them with such clarity, it's amazing.
I need to go to the bathroom.
I am just in awe about it. He's able to final say what he wants.
I'm not second guessing, trying to fill in the blanks.
It's a godsend basically.