For several months Patty has been working on switch access which is a simple strategy allowing Patty to control devices by activating a switch. While the strategy is relatively simple, the physical task for Patty is like climbing Mt. Everest without a map in a snow storm at midnight. It’s a very steep climb.

Why switch access? Because it is an initial step towards giving Patty the opportunity to communicate more clearly with family, friends, health care professionals, service coordinators, lawyers, and more. A single switch can control a radio, a light and even a basic communication device that would give voice to a simple yet powerful “YES” or “NO.”

For most people, meeting Patty for the first time can be overwhelming. Patty has suffered a tragic injury and is on a long road toward recovery. What she has lost is dramatically apparent and her needs are significant. What Patty understands and how she is feeling is not easily understood and it can take weeks, even months to begin to read the eye blinks and gazes she currently uses to communicate.

Patty is working on controlling simple battery-adapted devices (e.g. radio, light switch, fan, etc.) with a string switch attached to her right foot. Patty’s legs, feet, arms and hands muscles are extremely tight  and Patty must consciously direct her mind to move her right foot far enough to activate the switch.

Patty has made significant progress to date but we are all still at the beginning. We are hoping to increase the opportunities for Patty to practice on a daily basis to give her the ongoing and consistent practice she will need to master her switch control.

Here are some photos of the switch setup: