Help to communicate!!! Amazing...

[MJ-Mark]

I want to tell you all this......my Dad has PSP and has an ipad that is suppose to help, a tango that is suppose to help. I think that ANYTHING like that is great for earlier stage PSP. For my Dad who can't seem to perform the smaller movements, I have come up with a GENIUS, and I do mean GENIUS plan. (So modest aren't I)

Taped four 8 by 10 pieces of paper together. Neatly wrote the alphabet about 3 1/2 to 4 inches tall.....taped it to the TV (which is eye level for him). You can flip it behind the TV when we aren't using it, THEN, I took my little red laser light that I use to play with my cat. Now, dad can spell what he is trying to say, simply by pointing the laser at each letter!! I am telling you, it's amazing.

It requires bigger movements, so he does very well.

I hope this helps others, you all have been so helpful to me. I can't wait to see how others make out!

MJ

[SharonAB]

Thank you for providing details. Keeping the communication going with your father is brilliant.

Your system is not required here yet, however will keep it mind for a future date.

Regards, Alana - Western Australia

[carehope]

Dear MJ,

Thank you so much for your great idea ! Though my sister's motor skills and ability to speak are still pretty good, her ability to communicate in the future will be a challenge and has been worrisome to me as is everything else that may occur. So whenever I hear of or think of possible ways to help with the future communication issues , I feel less frustrated and ineffectual. I already knew about the alphabet and word charts, but the use of the laser pointer sounds like a terrific tool ! I'm so glad that it's made such a difference for your Dad and I'm sure that a lot of other people will find it to be just as useful . It definitely ranks right up there as a GENIUS idea !!

[riosenior]

Great idea -- I'll try it for certain and keep you posted

[marusela]

wow

[MJ-Mark]

You are going to love it! I was so excited to share it with everyone!

PSP won't win this battle......I can understand my dad again!

[summergirlx476]

My husband has an iPad with an app that's called 'Get Talking'. I think it was intended for autistic children. He can spell out the sentence or words and the font is quite large so it's easy to read or he can touch 'talk' and it will say the sentence out loud. If it's lon before he is due to have the Botox injections on his eyelids he does quite well, but if he's due for a treatment his eyes barely stay open long enough for him to make a sentence. This looks like something for the future, what a good idea Mark.

Gerry is now scheduled to go into a care home, there are big changes for all of us as a family ahead. This disease definitely takes it's toll and I hate it to the core of it's being!

Hang in there everyone.

Hugs

Linda

[villagebabe]

I used to think that the cruelest part of this disease was the fact that you know what is going on as it progresses. I still do!

[john_z]

Great idea, MJ!Thank you very much for sharing it with us!