Life With MND
Sarah
I was diagnosed with MND in April 2000, while seven months pregnant with my second child Eric. My daughter, Aviva, was three.
The diagnosis was so shocking that I convinced myself that my neurologist was wrong.
My marriage fell apart. I am now divorced, live with my children and have 24-hour care.
Losing the use of my arms was devastating. First I missed hugging the children. Then I started to miss practical things like using my computer, reading books, writing letters and everything else that we all take for granted.
When I told my Association Visitor about my predicament she came up with a great solution.
She arranged for Hector Minto, Sales Development Manager of Possum Controls Limited, to demonstrate a laptop in my home. And the rest, as they say, is history!
With the help of the MND Association and other charities, I was able to purchase a laptop and a chin switch from Possum. Hector installed a program called EZEKEYS, which enables me to navigate around my computer with ease. It also talks for me in a feminine American accent!
I can email people, write my own correspondence (including this article) using Microsoft Word and use the Internet.
MND made me feel very isolated but I no longer feel that way with other people within easy access.
These days I can listen to the radio and my favourite songs through my laptop. But best of all, I can READ again! The computer stores e-books so I can see the words and turn my own pages! I also read the news online, check TV listings and catch all the gossip. As the laptop is so portable I can sit and read in the garden and take it everywhere with me.
I can certainly recommend the equipment to anyone with MND. It has made my life much easier and fun again!
You can contact Possum Controls Ltd by ringing 01296 461002 or emailing aac@possum.co.uk. Alternatively you can visit their website www.possum.co.uk
