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 you—family members, friends, doctors and professionals—are 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 communicate…but 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 Ronny’s 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, LINC’s 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 32–message 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 Ronny’s 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 wasn’t 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 Ronny’s room at Bayview you will find the device in her lap…not 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 visitors’ 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 ways—emotionally 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 Ronny’s progress, Ronny tapped her Tech/Talk and said, "Thank you."