My daughter’s all too short life was an inspiration, as well as a practical example, to many on how assistive technology can open up the world of those who are severely physically disabled and nonverbal.
A Life Changed...
Kristy’s accident in 1990 transformed a bright, energetic, articulate and outgoing young lady into someone who was trapped in a body that no longer worked for her. She even lost her ability to speak. Over the next five and a half years until she died, I could only imagine but never truly comprehend the horror of what this must have been for her.
I do know that had her accident occurred 10-15 years ago, if she had even survived, Kristy would, no doubt, have been placed in a nursing home with little chance of doing anything other than existing in what would most likely have been termed as a persistent vegetative state. Because of the emergence and existence of assistive technology and the realization that many persons, like Kristy, are “locked in” – her life after her brain injury was not merely an existence – it was lived and it was lived well and to its fullest potential.
A New Voice...
Kristy’s life every day showed time and time again what can be done with determination, strength, courage and trial and error with a myriad of assistive technology devices and strategies. Even though Kristy was unable to use her voice to speak to us, she said over and over again to us through her actions: “Give me a chance…meet me more than half-way and I will show you what can be done. I will show you what works and what needs improvement. I will show you what is possible for those hopes, dreams and goals considered impossible. I will help the non believers believe and will show those who continue to search for solutions where and how to find answers. I will prove to you that with imagination and lots of very hard work, nothing is impossible.”
Using Technology...
Kristy taught us all that you do not have to be a physically able, speaking person in order to be intelligent. She demonstrated to all of us that we must concentrate on a person’s ability, not their disability. Through the use of assistive technology, Kristy was able to return to high school and graduate with honors – even though her death came before her long awaited graduation day. Kristy amazed educators by taking the same multiple choice and true false tests, exams, and end-of-grade testing that non-disabled students took – and many times outscored the majority of students. She taught her fellow non-disabled students to be more tolerant of those who are different, to believe in yourself and to cherish life as very precious.
Kristy learned to maneuver a power wheelchair, she enjoyed recreational activities such as shopping, swimming, camping, horseback riding, rock concerts and slow dancing for 41 seconds at her junior prom – all through the use of assistive technology. Kristy also did things that she enjoyed at home through the use of assistive technology such as cooking, baking, playing with her cats and her dog, and controlling her environment (turning on/off her TV, stereo, VCR, lights, ceiling fan, etc). Assistive technology helped her share her love and her wonderful sense of humor with those that took the time to learn how to communicate and interact with her.
Trying to Find Meaning after Death...
As her mother, I have grieved deeply since her death. I have no doubt that I will continue to grieve for a long time to come, if not for the remainder of my life. Kristy was my strength and determination. I now search for my path in life without her. There were many days in the months after her death when I struggled with why she survived the accident to then lose her life five and a half years later. What lesson of life was I supposed to learn through this journey? On bad days, I must admit, the answer often eluded me. But on those days when things look clearer, I realize that had Kristy not survived her accident, there are many, many people whose lives she would have not touched and that would have been a bigger tragedy.
Years ago, while Kristy remained in a five month long coma, I cross stitched a phrase for my brave beautiful daughter. I think it puts into words what Kristy lived in her all too short twenty-one year life…
“Kristy, If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It.”
This material is provided by:
Lash & Associates Publishing Training Inc.
708 Young Forest Drive, Wake Forest NC 27587
Tel: (919) 562-0015 www.lapublishing.com
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