Newsgroups: comp.robotics
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From: rstevew@armory.com (Richard Steven Walz)
Subject: Re: Computer voice for child in coma
Organization: The Armory
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 1994 13:52:32 GMT
Message-ID: <CxM6JM.86z@armory.com>
Keywords: voice prosthetic coma
References: <wsharten.30.2E988AAB@comnet.com>
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In article <wsharten.30.2E988AAB@comnet.com>,
Bill Harten <wsharten@comnet.com> wrote:
>My neighbor's 9-year old daughter was hit by a car and has been in a light 
>coma for several weeks.  She hears and responds to simple commands by moving 
>her hand.  She seems eager to reach out to her family, but cannot speak or 
>communicate, except occasional tears or grins that seem intentional.
>
>I want to create a system with a joystick that she can use to select and 
>play spoken phrases recorded in sound files.  Perhaps hearing words as a 
>result of moving the joystick will stimulate her ability to communicate.
>
>I plan to use visual basic in MS-Windows.  I would appreciate knowing about 
>other information sources, experiences, and ideas in this area.
>Bill Harten
>wsharten@comnet.com
-----------------------------------------
If she can spell, make her an alphabet board, quickly!!! If she cannot use
that, then simply try to retrain her speech centers. Several weeks for a
mild coma and paralysis can mean permanent or more likely she will improve
at her age until she can speak again. Ask her therapist what she is capable
of. Don't expect too much too fast, but do as much as the girl is willing
to try! She may have her speech center affected or destroyed, and be able
to spell just fine and finally write and simply be mute. Or she may be able
to reroute those pathways. Young brains do some amazing rewiring, but even
they are limited if certain structures are hit hard. Be patient. It's hard,
but that's what it will take.
-Steve Walz   rstevew@armory.com (former EMT)

