A new communication device known as a DynaVox is helping cerebral palsy patients who have difficulty speaking. The device has pre-recorded messages that play when you touch buttons on a screen.
For one cerebral palsy patient, the DynaVox has proven to be a most-useful device. 25-year old Jennifer Clarke was one of seven people invited to attend the “Out of the Box” program. The year long program encourages patients to analyze their life goals and utilize communication devices.
Jennifer Clarke actually used her device to do something her cerebral palsy had never let her do before: order a drink and a meal in a pub.
“It was the first time I’d been able to order my own beer and it was so good,” she said. “I’ve made a couple of phone calls using the box. It’s really a big help.”