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Author Archives: Marian Aiken
Bridging Communities Through Alternative Communication Bowl-a-Thon Planning Meeting and Fundraiser
Several members of BCTAC met at our house recently for Bowl-a-Thon prep, ice cream for dinner and movie night! Three members joined via Cisco’s WebEx video chat from Alaska, Oregon, and San Francisco. They even hung around long enough to … Continue reading
Posted in Adaptive Equipment, Daily Life
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Disappointment
Rusty’s 35th birthday was this week. I can’t shake the feeling of disappointment that I missed seeing him. I had emailed the director of his day program that I planned to stop by and to please let me know if … Continue reading
Posted in Daily Life
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Ben’s Communication Development (Part Three)
This photo show a gray switch that is secured to Ben’s Tobii Communicator post. This is plugged into his device to allow Ben to turn it on. Ben has little control over his hand. This shows how he can … Continue reading
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Ben’s Communication Development (Part Two)
Ben’s first voice output machine was the Real Voice/Speech Pac, like Alan’s. Ben also accessed his with the light pointer. He wore his light in the center of his head. Ben also required his arms to be restrained. Ben … Continue reading
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Ben’s Communication Development (Part One)
Ben has cerebral palsy that affects his entire body. He cannot sit, stand, speak or walk. But he is bright, alert and knows what is on his mind. When I adopted Ben at age three, he could only communicate using … Continue reading
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Thanksgiving Has Come and Gone for 2013
Thanksgiving Day has come and gone for 2013. It was much like other holidays in our house – busy. As usual, I peeled 15 pounds of potatoes the night before and had them ready to cube, cook and mash Thanksgiving … Continue reading
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Adopt a Special Kid 40th Anniversary Celebration
On November 1, 2013, I had the opportunity to attend a dinner and program to help celebrate forty years of success for Adopt A Special Kid (AASK). Several of my sons have been placed in my home through AASK. AASK … Continue reading
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Alan’s Communication Development (Part Three)
This is the system Alan uses today – DynaVox EyeMax System for eye tracking. As with Alan’s other systems, his device is mounted to his wheelchair. There is a more secure mount on the market today where the post slips … Continue reading
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Alan’s Communication Development (Part Two)
Here Alan is being evaluated to see what his accuracy would be to use a switch and scanning method. You can see nine sections (the squares on the top part of the box). Each section has a light and the … Continue reading
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Alan’s Communication Development (Part One)
Alan was born with cerebral palsy and is nonverbal. He has no functional use of his hands, cannot sit unsupported, or bear weight on his legs. Alan’s communication shines through his laugh, his body language and his eyes. You will … Continue reading
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