Maybe Jen's parents can get her the software where she talks and the computer will type it. Then she can communicate and not have to worry about straining her already painful hands and arms.
She has a computer savvy friend in Staunton and she was going to help her with several things..Maybe this will be a good one. If her Mom is like ME, there is no way she could set that up. All of us over 70 get a "bye" on installing computer programs that do tricks. (grin)
I referring to paying for it as I know she has very limited finances. If her parents can buy it the friend can install it. Sounds like a winning combo and opportunity to me!!
Nuance makes a program called Dragon naturally speaking....it will transcribe your words into text...I bought it for my dw, but she had such a hard time expressing herself that it picked up all the stuttering and nonsensical words, and I spent more time editing it than actually writing. You can get an older version on ebay for pretty cheap
She cannot use her fingers, PERIOD! Her smashed elbow arm is suspended in the air and the left hand 'thumb' and adjacent fingers are taped up so they cannot move. Her best bet is one of those sticks that paralyzed people put in their mouth and manuever. Right now, I'm sure she feels so bad, typing on the computer is far down on her list..but she LOVES to hear from all of you...and different friends and family members read the postings aloud to her.
I only wish I could do something for her to make her feel better. I sent her books on Minature Horses, but she can't turn the pages. They were not great books, and I ordered them on line..but maybe just having them around will make her think about downsizing her HORSES while we downsize our homes. (grin) I adore those little horses. They are so cute.
Maybe Jen will like the mini horse idea enouh to explore othe mini options. There are mini cows now too. We've always been animal lovers, and whenever my Daughter asked for something more (Great Dane) I'd say when you get your own place. I tried to interest her in getting a mini farm and keeping mini horses, cows,and Bantam chickens. She'd rather have her Bearded Dragons, Ball Python, and corn snake farm. <lol>
Jen, do whatever the Drs. say to get you better. ask for and push for a look at gadgets to help you until your better hand is more healed. There are gadgets for turning pages of books. Salmons is the name of one catalog.
UPDATE ON EARLIER POST! Nope, Jennifer, you can't get a mouth stick. You will have to get well. I googled the Mouth Stick device to use on the computer..and it cost $631.00. Can you imagine?? It's "titanium" and can extend out waaaay far, but aside from scratching your toe, I don't know why you'd need one that could extend four feet or more. Maybe for scratching your funny hairless cat, poor baby!!! I just have to wonder about the price for a mouth stick being over $600. Great Gussie! I wonder if a tooth brush wouldn't work as well by putting the bristle end in your mouth and tapping the keys with the other end. CVS has them on sale for $.99.
Or the end of a long handled artist paint brush..if Jen has strong teeth. I just tried it with a pencil.. The tooth brush is probably the best idea.. HOWEVER, Jen..consider just for 'fun', if anything can be fun right now..attempting some 'mouth' drawings..best wishes for a better day today.
Jen, I think of you every time I see a horse, and believe me, this place is TEEMING with girls on horses, especially on the weekends. Most of them seem very gentle but today I saw one acting up. Then I REALLY thought of you.
We all need to come up with ideas about how Jennifer can type without fingers. Put your thinking caps on friends, and give her hints about how to live with no fingers. (grin). She 'hears' all of your postings, so this will be fun for her. With all of her pain, if you could hear her voice, you'd know how amazing she is. She has a young sounding "lilt" in her voice and laughs easily. She is amazing. Truly!
There are mouth sticks for typing, not nearly as long as fo doing painting. Talk to the therapists about seeing their catalogs. Also, ask if they can't jury-rig some appliances. Good therapists are alwayslookinbg for ways to facilitate function.
Discovered I don't sp[ell so well. Googled Sammomns Preston. Pick a selection, look for mouth sticks. Th have stiff and also flexible. Vary in length from 10" to 23". Good for typing, page turning, and pointing. Prices range from about $60 to just under $100. Also havew a fancier book holder on a bracket accompanied with a head band with stick for page turning, available on Amazon for $333. More lswhere. They have amazing stuff. And they aren't the only equipment suppliers.
Actually, the keyboard can be set up to only use one key for many functions. I have a friend here at work who is a quad and it is amazing how well he gets around the keyboard.
Just popping in to ditto what therrja said. My son, also a quadriplegic, began using Dragon Dictate while in college. He gives oral directions such as "mouse up" or "mouse left", "double click." It has been a godsend. He did all his papers in college and in grad school with it and now uses it for market research and trading. He has a wireless mike that fits on his ear. We used Voc Rehab contacts to find a technician to set it up.
Wishing Jen the best and praying for a speedy recovery....
susanhere, that is wonderful! I'm so proud of your son for accomplishing so much. So many would have given up. I'm sure you are very proud of him and rightly so!
It sounds like a good solution for Jen too. Until she can have someone get it and set it up for her, she'll need someone to be her secretary and so that she can dictate her e-mails and discussion comments here and read the replies to her!
Is jen at Home??? I just have the Envoy addresss...where can I send a card??? Wishing you well Jen, Hope you get well soon....Prayers and Hugs to you...Rosalie
I google earth'd her address and it shows just a house. Her out buildings must be newer unless hers is down the road from the marker because there is a place with out buildings.Maybe when she is back online she can let us know. I love to google earth addresses.
I think her barns are down the road..We were talking about 'how horses sleep' and she told me that a man passed her barn daily and waved at her. A few days later, his mom, who happened to be with SPCA came by and said her son reported three dead horses in her field. Whaaat?, she asked. NO WAY!... Woman insisted they were dead because her son saw them laying down on their sides and no horse sleeps like that. HERS did,., and she had to prove it. So, that long story affirms that her barn is near the road - obviously! .. Not all barns are behind the house. Having a barn near the road is much easier when you have to load animals for transport, too. Other Texans can confirm that barns can be a mile from the house or more. (grin)
How do you google houses. Can you find mine? How fun!
Just click on the word 'maps', then enter the address, city, and state, then when the screen comes up, click on 'street view' if the little box to the right shows up, otherwise they did not photograph it yet.
I did Jeanette's address. I am waiting to hear back to see if it is the right place. The address and location don't always match. With two of my sister's google took me down the road from where they live. But it is fun. Where we are at the satellite photo was taken when we were not here. I shows our RV slab, but it is empty! I think it was in 2006 when we were in NH.
Charlotte, yes, it is a gated community. 5050 SF.... and we use only 4 rooms. Have an entire upstairs that we do not need, and that is why the house is on the market for sale. If you're in the market, go to HAR.Com - (Find Houses) - and when you see the prompt, enter the address: 6503 Frasier Point Court. Please find a buyer out there.
Nancy - nice looking house. Move it up to Oregon/Washington and you can double your asking price! Way too big for me - have to remember I live in about 275 sq ft! I would be lost in your house. Sorry I can't help you with a buyer.
I asked someone in the know about a week ago because I wondered, too, how she was. The report backwas that her mother had taken her to have her hair done. Always a good sign, I think, when a woman gets her hair done!
I haven't been on-line for quite a while. Recovery seems to have hit a roadblock physically and emotionally. I have constant pain. Getting lots of physical therapy. My pinky and ring finger on right hand are pretty much paralized. I CAN write again, but I'm too chicken to try sculpting yet. Thanks for everyone's support and love. I didn't want anyone to think I've forgotten you or dropped off the face of the earth. (yes, my horses are still with me for some reason). Hope Thanks giving was good. Just another day here....went to visit John at the NH. He's really zoning out and doesn't remember our home. Talks about strange stuff that I have no idea about. I wish it would end. There's nothing I can do to help. I never see him smile any more. I'm allowed to drive now, but not to lift or pull on anything. So, I've been visiting him once a week. Going to see my parents in Newport News on the 4th with a friend from down the lane. Guess I've been lucky or blessed or both. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers.....my doc said she had really have bet i would loose my arm 6" below my shoulder. Love, Jen
Jen, so good to hear from you! Been wondering and thinking about you. I'm so sorry about all the pain you are going through - both physically and mentally. At least you can drive now and that is good. Just be careful.
John's condition is what it is. You have done what you could do. I hope you will find some peace with that.
Have a good trip to your parents and please keep in touch with us. Love and hugs!
Yes, driving means FREEDOM. Can't go too far, though. Too much for me. I've lost a good 25 lbs, but can't recommend traumatic injury as a viable alternative to proper diet and exercise! I just read Nikki's missive about making peace with Lynn's illness.....Me, I'm not there yet....I think I'm only numb and not at all at peace with John's AD. Going to his care plan meeting later this week... that should be interesting.
Glad you're back, Jen, we've missed you. So sorry the healing is taking so much time. But you can do it. Is it your arm that is giving you the most pain?
Jen, I was just thinking about you the other day. So glad to hear from you. Don't push yourself too much. And, be careful driving. There's a lot of nuts out there on the roads!
Hi Jen, I'm just so glad to hear you are doing a "little-bitty" bit better. How is your other arm? Are you at the house by yourself?
You are right. LIfe's road is full of sudden turns, detours and wash-outs, ... No one is ever prepared for what is around the curve. Happy to know you can drive, at least. So sorry to know John is lost in his own world. I've enjoyed Tugg's notes. He seems to be a gifted artist himself. Is he a professional photographer? Love you, Jen. Nancy*