Imagine for a second what it would be like to be cognitively aware of everything around
you but unable to express your thoughts, feelings, or opinions. To add to that frustration,
imagine that the dozens of people around youófamily members, friends, doctors and
professionalsóare unsuspecting of the fact that you are cognitively aware, based on your outward
appearance, lack of facial or bodily expression, and misdiagnoses by a battery of tests. To
make matters worse, imagine being in that state for nearly six years! Then comes a glimmer
of light when someone realizes that you are inside and can and want to communicateÖbut it takes
another four years to come up with a solution for that to happen.
That is the story of what happened to Ronny Dishon, a 38-year old mother of two, who ten
years ago was in a car accident that resulted in a brain stem contusion. The accident, affected
Ronnyís gross motor skills and her ability to walk and talk and communicate with others. After
six years of living in isolation and silence, Ronny came to the Bayview Hospital after an
occupational therapist who Ronny was working with suggested that she might have more to say.
The doctors brought in the services of Angela Kinn, a speech therapist at Bayview, who proved
to be a major advocate for Ronny in her search for a means of communicating. Angela was
determined to find out what Ronny had to say and to help her say it. After overcoming many
roadblocks, Angela and Ronny worked on ways that Ronny could increase her communication skills.
They devised a homemade alphabet board on a manila envelope that Ronny used by finger-pointing
to the printed letters. Angela knew that Ronny needed a device that was not too laborious and
complicated to program, something that the hospital staff members would be willing to use and
work with, and something not too expensive, a device Ronny could afford.
Angela began a search for information on such a device when a student of hers told her
about LINC. Angela called LINC and connected with Jean Wunder, LINCís special education
coordinator. Together with Ronny they explored a variety of augmentative communication devices
that would meet the above criteria. Jean brought a number of devices to Ronny to try out.
Before suggesting specific devices, Jean wanted to find out if Ronny was able to hit
various-sized targets and could differentiate text-based and picture-based targets when she was
asked a question. Through trial and error, Jean learned that Ronny was able to hit a target as
small as 1"x1". With further experimentation, Jean was able to determine that Ronny preferred a
32ñmessage board to one with fewer options, because of her high cognitive abilities.
Initially, LINC provided a Dynamo for Ronny to try out. She did so successfully, and decided
this was the device she needed to enhance her communication skills. She applied for funding
through Medicaid, and funding was denied based on the steep cost of the device. Ronny came back
to LINC, seeking a lower priced alternative to the DynaMo when Jean suggested trying out the
Tech/Talk & Tech/Scan Augmentative Communication Device from Mayer-Johnson. It was evident after
just a few hours that the device would most definitely expand Ronnyís communication options.
Ronny borrowed the Tech/Talk from LINC's Loan Library to try out before plunking down the $925
for the device, and finding out later that it just wasnít right.
However, what Ronny did find out, was that the Tech/Talk device was in fact, just right, for
her needs. She used the device immediately with success, and just recently called LINC to say
that she applied for funds and has been approved for funding to purchase one. When you walk into
Ronnyís room at Bayview you will find the device in her lapÖnot on a window sill, on a shelf or
a bedside table. It is on her lap ready for Ronny to use to respond to her visitorsí greetings
and questions.
Recently, Angela reported back to Jean, and said, "Ronny is doing so well with her new device
that the doctors are considering taking her off her depression medicine. Her enthusiastic
response to being able to communicate has affected her in so many waysóemotionally and
physically. Her long term goal is to move out of the nursing home and return home to live."
When Jean went back to Baview to check on Ronnyís progress, Ronny tapped her Tech/Talk and
said, "Thank you."