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Thread ID: 138733	2015-01-14 23:32:00	Stroke Victim	B.M. (505)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1392139	2015-01-14 23:32:00	Six months ago a mate of mine suffered a severe stroke which has left him paralysed down the right hand side and unable to speak. The Hospital gave up on him three months ago and he is now in the Hospital Wing of a Rest Home. His position seems hopeless, but I thought there might be some way we can communicate so have been doing some research. A novel idea I came across was to have pictures on a Tablet that was secured somehow and if he touched a picture the Tablet spoke for him. Along the lines of a picture of a Beer Bottle (icon) and if he touched it the voice recording said “I wouldn’t mind a beer, your shout.” :D Yes, No, Thank You could be included along with other common requests and phrases later. ;) He has an iPad, but knowing nothing about Apple products, I wonder how easy it would be to achieve? Oh, I should have pointed out earlier that I believe he understands what people are saying, but just can’t speak. In short, the only thing he has any control over is his left hand and arm. Anyway, just thought I’d float the problem on here and see if anyone has any thoughts on the matter. :thanks	B.M. (505)
1392140	2015-01-14 23:44:00	This looks like it will do what you want http://www.speechboxapp.com/ This looks better though. itunes.apple.com Instead of a pic of a beer bottle your pic could be the actual words. Write the phrase, use your phone to take a pic and upload it to this pic library then all he has to do is pick from the phrases. This assumes he can still read and understand the phrases.	DeSade (984)
1392141	2015-01-15 01:02:00	So far as his speech is concerned, I would strongly recommend the Celebration Choir. The CBR choir is a weekly community music therapy initiative for people with communication problems caused by brain disease, heart attacks or strokes: www.cbr.auckland.ac.nz/choir and singing is very good for people with speech difficulties. One lady could not speak before she joined the choir but now her speech has improved to where, with a little bit of difficulty, she can make herself understood. You don't have to have a good singing voice - the idea is that you join in. It is run by trained music therapists. And just because he can't speak does not mean that he can't sing. Most people who have lost their speech can sing. And, of course, you meet people with the same problem enjoying their singing. If he can be taken to the Auckland University Tamaki Campus, the choir meets each Monday afternoon at 1.45 to 3.15. There are a few people in wheelchairs, so he won't be the only one. The Celebration Choir is highly recommended for stroke victims. Check it out.	Roscoe (6288)
1392142	2015-01-15 02:08:00	www.nzherald.co.nz See in this article, the govt supplied this guy with a device to do what you suggest. You shouldn't have to chase around, find the right people and get him sorted with equipment. Not sure where, but I'd start with the Health Disability http://www.hdc.org.nz/ They'll know even if it's not them directly.	pctek (84)
1392143	2015-01-15 10:45:00	This may seem daft to you but here goes: When I trained as a radio operator in the Brit Army we were encouraged to hold as many social conversations as possible in Morse Code. This practice led to firmly embedding the code in memory. That was 65 yrs ago and I am still able to converse this way using DIT for DOT and DAH for DASH. I could if necessary talk all day in this mode with another person with the same skill. Of course, this would mean both of you learning the A to Z of the code and would create much amusement to any other overhearing your strange, secretive conversation. Alternatively, your speech disabled friend could write his messages in response to your normal speech (in Dots and Dashes).	blanco (11336)
1392144	2015-01-15 10:51:00	Examples: Yes: Dah Dit Dah Dah / Dit / Dit Dit Dit No: Dah Dit / Dah Dah Dah Beer: Dah Dit Dit Dit / Dit / Dit / Dit Dah Dit	blanco (11336)
1392145	2015-01-15 17:45:00	Glad you remembered the Dah Dit Dit Dit / Dit / Dit / Dit Dah Dit Ken. :)	kenj (9738)
1392146	2015-01-15 18:50:00	Thanks for your input guys and gals. :thumbs: To respond in order of replies: Desade: Thanks for the pointers they look promising and at a total cost of $21 won’t break the bank. I’ll grab both and check them out although the feedback on one raises a few question marks. 6145 I’ll get back on them when I’ve tried them myself. Roscoe: I was told this by a Lady at the Stroke Foundation who I initially thought had lost her marbles. The thought of him singing when he can’t talk seemed to me to be ridiculous but I concede after much investigation it is a well documented method of helping restore speech and a choir does exist locally. I shudder to think what it sounds like, :D but he might be a star as he loved to sing and played mean guitar prior to his stroke. I’ll follow up on this too now I’m convinced it’s not a leg-pull. Pctech: Yes, I’ll follow that avenue and see what they can do. Blanco: That brings back memories. We both know Morse, well sort of remember it from our CMT days, and when he picked up I was pulling someone’s leg he would say you’re just a - three dits, four dits, two dits, & a dash. So this could prove interesting. Anyway, despite being completely out of my depth, I see this as a challenge and that is what life is all about. I’ll update on progress and problems once I get things underway. :thanks again all.	B.M. (505)
1392147	2015-01-15 19:23:00	If your friend knows or is willing to learn the code, he could tap out his message or response on a solid surface. This would enable total communication with you without his speech. I am assuming his sense of hearing is good, so you would only need to decode and reply in normal speech. (could use a small LED torchlight).	blanco (11336)
1392148	2015-01-15 20:21:00	It reminds me of the fact that Doctors advise statins to help ward off strokes, then here is school that thinks statins can cause strokes,what are thoughts on this?? Sorry about that B.M.	Cicero (40)
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