Whenever my daughter wants something she just says “papa can you get ‘whatever she wants‘ for me in the box”. The box she is referring to is the box in which UPS delivers the goodies and she is asking me to order it online. This gives an idea that how important computer access is for me.

My hands are so weak that it is impossible for me to use a regular keyboard and mouse/trackpad. As a result of this weakness I have to use a switch to access the computer. A switch is small device that sends a signal when activated. There is wide range of switches to choose from, and the one I use is called a bean switch. It just needs a light touch to activate. The switch is connected to a usb device called a switch interface. A switch interface is designed to convert the signal from the switch and send it as a mouse click to the computer. Switch interface can generally emulate key press or a mouse click or a joystick. And again there is a wide range to choose from. I am currently using a switch interface called Swifty.

On the software side I use a scanning program called SwitchXS. SwitchXS is activated when I press the switch and with few presses it allows me to do anything on the computer. I am also using a predictive typing software called KeyStrokes to help with typing. This screen shot will give you an idea about how it works.

The way scanning works is: the first switch press activates SwitchXS which in turn starts scanning a panel. I then press again when the scanning line highlights the row which has the function I want to use. SwitchXS then starts scanning the row and I press again when it highlights the button for the function I want.

To a regular computer user this might sound slow and tiring but the fact is that it is not and with some clever scan panel design I can do things faster and easily. I have designed two scan panels to make my life easier. here is one for general computer use.

This is the one I use for typing.

When time to use a speech program comes, I simply need to add a text to voice software to the mix making my Mac a full-fledged AAC. And in future if my current switch does not work for me any more than all I need to do is get a different type of switch that will work!

Today after a long time I had a nice afternoon nap. Until yesterday I could only sleep for about half an hour, but today i dozed off for two hours. I was more relaxed and energetic after today’s nap than ever before. What changed? Well yesterday I got a breathing device called BiPAP and it made all the difference. The device is made by a company called ResMed and is very quiet and compact. I choose a nasal pillow type of mask for delivering the air. The mask is light and easy to use as well. The device has a remote monitor attachment which allows my doctor to keep track of my breathing and device functions. My doctor is going to monitor it for a month to make sure that I am breathing ok and that the device is working good for me for me.

In short I’m able to sleep well again!

As part of preparing for future, I started exploring software and hardware solutions which can help me to use a computer after my hands give up. There are various tracking devices (mouse alternatives) available in the market. The one I’m looking at is a headmouse variety. You control the mouse pointer by moving you head. One of such devices is SmartNav from NaturalPoint. It costs $499 and provides basic mouse pointer functionality. There are two other brands (you can see them here), but they are way expensive.

So headmouse takes care of moving the mouse pointer, but what about clicking? It turns out there are both hardware & software based solutions for it. The software solution is called dwell clicking and the software ‘sends’ a preset click if you dwell over a region (like icon) for an adjustable time (like 1 sec). These software range from $99 to $199. You can see them here. There is a free version as well. It’s called Point-N-Click. The hardware solutions are called ‘switches’. You can connect the switch to your computer and it can then ‘send’ the click when you press it. Again have a look at them here. Prices for switches range from $30 to over hundred.

How about typing? Well there is a software for it too. It’s called On-Screen-Keyboard (OSK). You can see comprehensive list of such software here. Over last couple of days I have looked at each one of them and haven’t found one which I like. The one that comes close to my liking is be-Key. All of them are costly, they start around $199 and can go anywhere up to $500. I think these OSKs are just priced too high and don’t provide functionality that measures for the price charged. I mean you can buy a operating system for $199, but if you want to buy an OSK then be prepared to shell out lot of cash. If you are interested in writing a functional OSK, then let me know, I’m all for it. There is a free version as well, it’s called Click-N-Type. Bottom line: pay lot of money to just be able to type one or two words per minute. 

One of the equipments needed as my disease progresses is a Hoyer lift. Hoyer lift helps my caregivers to transfer me safely say from wheelchair to bed. Without this it’s very hard to transfer and there is a high risk of fall too. So yesterday Hoyer lift was added to my ever expanding arsenal of disability equipment. We got an electric operated lift as a manual one would be too much for my wife to handle. Insurance generally doesn’t cover electric lifts, but given the circumstances they agreed to.

This past Wednesday I received my power wheel chair. All I can say is that it has allowed me to places where I couldn’t go before! Like now I can go for an evening stroll and enjoy the weather. I can now race with my daughter, it’s kind of unmatched because she is on her small cycle powering it with her legs, while I ride on a chair powered by electric motor. Even then it’s fun.

Yesterday power wheelchair sales folks came to my place. The purpose of the visit was for me to test drive one! and see if my home has wide enough doorways and hallways to maneuver it. Both tests were a success. Having played so many video games, it was piece of cake to drive it with a joy stick. The ride was smooth and controls were responsive. Here are the links to it if you want to take a look: Wheelchair, joystick. Now all that remains is to find a way for me to get around the town with one.