Guest guest Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 I guess Galen is trying to throw a wet blanket on my communication suggestions because his blankets got drenched by Charley! My original post never said it is easy. What elements of PLS are easy? Loss of speech is clearly the toughest adjustment. Thanks to technology and sign language, we do not have to be " locked in " . I stated before and I'll say it again, that alot is demanded of the listener. I think Galen must not have been shown devices that permit pre- programmed messages - not just a sentence, but paragraphs. You don't have to type everything each time. For example, I have programmed in, " fill it up with regular, please " - the gas station attendants love to listen to the machine. I have other messages programmed for other places I usually shop. I have an explanation of my disease preprogrammed, as well as my name. Also, you have the capability to program abbreviations. For instance, for " doctor " I only have to type " dr " amd the entire word pops up. Life has dug us a canyon/gorge,crevasse. We can build a bridge over it if we choose, or we can stay stuck on one side, wring our hands, and wish we could be a part of whatever is going on on the other side. New folks, PLEASE check out the possibilities open to you. Don't give up. Also, I carry with me my doctor's diagnosis as if I were stopped by the police, between my speech and my walking, I'd be considered DUI. Thurza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 >I guess Galen is trying to throw a wet blanket on my communication >suggestions because his blankets got drenched by Charley! Actually no. None of my blankets were bothered by Charley at all. >My original >post never said it is easy. I didn't say it did. >What elements of PLS are easy? Loss of >speech is clearly the toughest adjustment. For some. Others find other things more difficult. For example, some people might find a spouse leaving a little more difficult than losing speech ability. >Thanks to technology and >sign language, we do not have to be " locked in " . Granted, but even if the door is " unlocked, " it may not open as far as imagined. >I stated before and >I'll say it again, that alot is demanded of the listener. In my experience it *only* works when the listener is both willing and able to put forth some effort. >I think Galen must not have been shown devices that permit pre- >programmed messages - not just a sentence, but paragraphs. No, I even am using something quite like that right now. The current software package allows 64,000 characters for each message, that's enough to write a short novel for each and every messages. I don't know exactly how many messages can be stored, but if there is a limit it must be in the tens of thousands or more. In any event, I can't see running into a limit regardless of the circumstances. >You don't >have to type everything each time. For example, I have programmed >in, " fill it up with regular, please " - the gas station attendants >love to listen to the machine. Do you have a response keyed in if the attendant asks you, say, where the filler is located? If you have an unexpected question you want to respond to, you are back to typing in the information on the spot before it can be " spoken. " >I have other messages programmed for >other places I usually shop. I have an explanation of my disease >preprogrammed, as well as my name. Also, you have the capability to >program abbreviations. For instance, for " doctor " I only have to >type " dr " amd the entire word pops up. As long as they stick to a script of anticipated questions, all is OK. If you are asked an unexpected question, you won't have a response in the machine in advance. >Life has dug us a canyon/gorge,crevasse. We can build a bridge over >it if we choose, or we can stay stuck on one side, wring our hands, >and wish we could be a part of whatever is going on on the other side. A wise person will realize that just getting to the other side doesn't guarantee full participation. I'm not saying we should wring our hands, just not to be overly optimistic about the anticipated results. >New folks, PLEASE check out the possibilities open to you. Don't give >up. > >Also, I carry with me my doctor's diagnosis as if I were stopped by >the police, between my speech and my walking, I'd be considered DUI. > >Thurza I don't disagree with any of that. I'm just saying that any speech assistive device has drawbacks. Just like a wheelchair can allow more mobility, it is hardly a replacement for walking. __ Galen Hekhuis NpD, JFR, GWA ghekhuis@... Illiterate? Write for FREE help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 Thurza, you know how fascinating I found your machine! Your so right! Rita Till next time! Love & Hugs ************************************* Some people succeed in spite of their handicap. Others succeed because of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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