Giving Voice

When the boys were younger we were very focused on helping Bryce overcome some of his physical limitations. We knew that he couldn’t sit unassisted, crawl, much less walk. At such a young age he had a very busy schedule full of therapy and specialist appointments. We were doing all that we could to give him every opportunity to overcome some of the many barriers that he faced. It wasn’t until their second year of preschool that we needed to start also focusing on his communication. Sure, we knew that he wasn’t talking but at home we could easily communicate with Bryce. We knew what his different signs were for when he was hungry or thirsty. We knew if he was happy or sad and usually we would know exactly what he was wanting. It isn’t until you realize that the rest of the world might not know those signs that it really started hitting home. Then your thoughts take you to other places…. Bryce is excellent with his head shakes for “No” and “Yes” but I am not always sure the choices we gave him were what he would have chosen to “pick” from. So the year before they were to begin Kindergarten we started the process of trialing communication devices that would work for him. If you have ever met Bryce you would know that he is a bright boy, but even we didn’t know how much he knew. Did he know all his letters? Numbers? We really couldn’t answer that with certainty.

Many devices require use of a hand or finger to make selections for communication. Bryce has little use of his right hand as it stays fisted most of the time. He is a definite lefty but he cannot use his fingers to make precise selections on a device. We heard about a relatively new method of communication that allows a person to make selections on their eye gaze. So all therapists were on board and it was very clear that this would be the best device to start with. The initial evaluation and Bryce’s first time using the device was AMAZING. I wrote a post shortly after on that experience. If you missed it click here. He went through several more working sessions in order to document for insurance that he was successful using the device. Let’s just say that the battle of getting this device covered by insurance has been one of the longest most painful experiences yet. I won’t taint this exciting news by going into the very long process. BUT….Finally last Friday, January 16th, we received approval for Bryce’s communication device. It is so hard to believe that 18 months of trialing the device, receiving many denials, requiring more and more information… Bryce will FINALLY have his very own way of communicating.

The device (Tobii Eye Gaze I15) will calibrate to Bryce’s eyes and he will be able to operate it much like we use a mouse to operate a computer. The amazing thing about this device is that it will mature with him. The software will require updates so that the programs that Bryce will be using will grow right along with him. The device will give Bryce the ability to make choices, express his needs/wants and let us know about his days. It will even allow for him to use synthesized/digitized speech that will “say” what he chooses. You can even select a voice that is age appropriate that can also adjust as he gets older. Eventually he will be able to send emails and text messages and access the Internet. It can even turn channels on the TV, operate a DVD player, turn on lights and open doors! There is a built in camera that would allow him to take pictures and post images. He can do homework or classroom tasks and print them right in the classroom. I am simply amazed and so thankful that we live in a time that such technology exists!

As you might imagine it will take some time for Bryce to build up endurance to use the device for long periods. He will have to train his eyes and strengthen them in order to be able to use it for long periods of time. We just click a finger or type a key to make our selection… sometimes without needing to look at what key we are selecting. Bryce will have to “gaze” at each selection in order for the software to identify what he is choosing. Matt and I will also have a lot of learning to do and will need to participate in some training as well. But it is so exciting to open this door for Bryce! I am so excited that we will be able to communicate with Bryce in a way that he can let us know what he is thinking, how his day at school went, who his new friend is and so on. It will take time and very small steps – but it will be so worth the wait!

Just because a person can’t speak doesn’t mean they have nothing to say.