OCT
18
2021
ALL ARTICLES
Diederik's story
Diederik has Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. He is a long time TalkLink client, first being assessed by our service in the year 2000. Diederik has had a clear yes and no response using his speech. He has used a wide range of technology and access methods, starting with an Alphatalker. He used this for a number of years to develop his access method (switching) and his literacy skills. Diederik's communication abilities quickly outgrew the functions of this device, and he then began to use an SL87 Lightwriter to spell out his messages. Diederik still relies on this as a back up system to this day!
In 2009, with the introduction of new technology, Diederik trialled eye gaze. While he was excited about using this, he found it difficult to use well, resorting to using his switch. It was important to look at other access methods for Diederik as he was beginning to experience pain in his switch site, his knee. Diederik was funded a Dynavox V Max in 2009 which allowed him to store phrases, as well as use the onscreen keyboard with word prediction to speed up his communication interactions. Since having the Dynavox V Max, Diederik has also used a Tobii I12 and most recently a GridPad 12.
Diederik uses his devices to communicate face to face and long distance. He is an avid Facebook user, sends and receives text messages and emails and shares photos with his family and friends all over the world. Diederik is now looking at opportunities to complete some study to help others in the area of mental health.
Here are some words from Diederik:
I am so glad to be able to use communicator tool, because it allows me to be able to talk with people, mostly family, friends and support people. This communication device is so incredibly helpful. In many ways It's a lifeline that helps me in so many positive ways. But when the communicator breaks down it has to go overseas to get fixed, and then I am left without anyway of communication, left without a voice.
Without my communicator I feel like I am in a prison with no way to express my feelings or thoughts. I am surprised that some people don't understand this. People that don't need a communicator, of course are more likely to not understand how important it is for me to be able talk. If I have no communicator, and happen to meet somebody new for the first time, it can be difficult for me and them to communicate, so this is why it is extremely important for me to be able to have a communicator. Without it, it limits my quality of life and independence. I look forward to seeing how the technology progresses and the future thank you all for your amazing work that is all put in to give people like me a voice.
Diederik has Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. He is a long time TalkLink client, first being assessed by our service in the year 2000. Diederik has had a clear yes and no response using his speech. He has used a wide range of technology and access methods, starting with an Alphatalker. He used this for a number of years to develop his access method (switching) and his literacy skills. Diederik's communication abilities quickly outgrew the functions of this device, and he then began to use an SL87 Lightwriter to spell out his messages. Diederik still relies on this as a back up system to this day!
In 2009, with the introduction of new technology, Diederik trialled eye gaze. While he was excited about using this, he found it difficult to use well, resorting to using his switch. It was important to look at other access methods for Diederik as he was beginning to experience pain in his switch site, his knee. Diederik was funded a Dynavox V Max in 2009 which allowed him to store phrases, as well as use the onscreen keyboard with word prediction to speed up his communication interactions. Since having the Dynavox V Max, Diederik has also used a Tobii I12 and most recently a GridPad 12.
Diederik uses his devices to communicate face to face and long distance. He is an avid Facebook user, sends and receives text messages and emails and shares photos with his family and friends all over the world. Diederik is now looking at opportunities to complete some study to help others in the area of mental health.
Here are some words from Diederik:
I am so glad to be able to use communicator tool, because it allows me to be able to talk with people, mostly family, friends and support people. This communication device is so incredibly helpful. In many ways It's a lifeline that helps me in so many positive ways. But when the communicator breaks down it has to go overseas to get fixed, and then I am left without anyway of communication, left without a voice.
Without my communicator I feel like I am in a prison with no way to express my feelings or thoughts. I am surprised that some people don't understand this. People that don't need a communicator, of course are more likely to not understand how important it is for me to be able talk. If I have no communicator, and happen to meet somebody new for the first time, it can be difficult for me and them to communicate, so this is why it is extremely important for me to be able to have a communicator. Without it, it limits my quality of life and independence. I look forward to seeing how the technology progresses and the future thank you all for your amazing work that is all put in to give people like me a voice.