Last time I posted, I was still able to drive my car. My arms and hands have now grown so weak that this is no longer possible. Typing has also become very difficult, and after typing I usually have a substantial surplus of letters on my screen.
Standing, carefully, with support, is still possible. I now have a new electric wheelchair with power adjustable leg-rests, back and seat. I sit in this all day, and because it is adjustable, it is comfortable. We have widened two doorways to 34" to allow good wheelchair access. In the garage we have a ramp so that I can go outside, or access our handicapped access modified van.
I also have an electric hospital bed allowing adjustments as needed. To transfer we need a rolling lift, and the lift will not roll on carpet when it is lifting me. We have solved this problem by removing the carpet and installing laminate flooring in our bedroom. We have also installed a roll in shower in our bathroom.
I am using breathing support 24 hrs a day and I have two Synchrony bipap ventilator machines and two batteries. One is mounted, with a battery, on my electric wheelchair, and the other is used beside my bed, or at any other stationary position. The bipap machines run on both 12v and 110 ac., and can be plugged into a car cigarette lighter outlet for travel. With 2 machines there is always a backup, should one fail.
It is important to charge up all batteries, and the wheelchair overnight, so that you can sustain a power failure.
Since ALS leads to total paralysis, some foresight and planning are required. In that condition, how will you communicate anything? How will you convey even basic daily needs, how will you be able to respond to anything or one?
New technology allows you continued communication. Even with total paralysis the eyes will continue to funtion. Material below is taken from the Mytobii website, see link below.
The power of a computer at your… eyes
One could say that an eye-controlled AAC device (Alternative and Augmentative Communication) is a computer – but instead of using a mouse and keyboard to control it, you use your eyes. Most eye-controlled devices are non-intrusive, meaning that you don’t have to wear or hold anything - you simply position yourself in front of the screen and look at it.
The device keeps track of where you are looking by sending out near-infrared light and measuring it’s reflection in the eyes. To click, you either stare at a point, blink, or use a switch.
More than meets the eye
You can communicate your thoughts, ideas and wishes by typing text or using symbols that can be turned into speech, sms messages, e-mails etc. Since you are looking at a computer screen, the text or symbols that you use can be changed dynamically to suit different situations. For example, you could have dynamic displays with one layout or communication page for use at home, another one at the store or in school and yet another in hospital, making communication much easier.
Eye-controlled devices are about more than typing a message. Most devices are built on a Windows platform which makes it possible to play games, watch videos, control the TV and other devices, and access the internet etc. - just what you’d expect from a regular computer.
You control your device… not the other way around
Controlling a device with your eyes is not something that is new. The technology has been around for a while but at Tobii we have refined it to fit the various needs of people with communication and physical disabilities. Superior quality, ease of use and reliability are hallmarks of MyTobii devices.
One thing that sets our products apart from others is the easy-to-use calibration and reliable eye tracking. Most users require less than ten seconds to calibrate the system, and once calibrated the systems is extremely stable. The My Tobii products operate accurately, regardless of large head movements, glasses, eye color or light conditions.
MyTobii P10
MyTobii P10 is a portable eye-controlled communication device. Everything, including a 15” screen, eye control device and computer, is integrated into one unit. Just connect to a power source, such as a wall socket, power wheelchair or separate battery. The device can be mounted for use at a desk, on a wheelchair, in bed or anywhere suitable for the user.
Who is helped by MyTobii?
Link to MyTobii
Users with disabilities such as:
* Cerebral Palsy
* ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
* High level spinal injuries
* Multiple Sclerosis
With powerful, state-of-the-art features, MyTobii brings eye control to a whole new audience of users. The interface can be configured for many different skill levels thus being flexible enough to serve many different user groups.
Dependable and easy operation
* Easy to set up
* Fully automatic
* Quick, easy one-time calibration
* Mounts to desk, bed or wheelchair
* Easy to adjust to the needs of different user groups
The eye tracker doesn't need the user to “do” or “wear” anything. Simply sit in front of it, follow a dot during a 10-second calibration and you are on your way! With flexible mounting, easy customization and different hardware options, every situation is catered to.
Reliable tracking
* No undue restraint on head movements
* Tracks nearly everyone, even those with glasses or contacts
* Works in most lighting conditions
* Compensates for large head movements without errors
* Very high accuracy
MyTobii can be relied upon to keep working. MyTobii will operate accurately regardless of glasses, contacts, and eye color or light conditions. With MyTobii, those with uncontrolled head movements can use eye control for the first time. Tobii's unique ability to deal with large head movements opens up eye control to user groups who have been unable to use other systems.
Robust design
* Eye tracking components fully integrated
* Robust casings will survive real-world use
* New portable unit with computer processing built in
Tobii Technology's world-leading eye tracking techniques and an integrated, tough design make the MyTobii eye tracking system extremely accurate, portable and tough enough to deal with real-life. No fragile external cameras or lighting units mean your system will be able to go everywhere with you. High accuracy and powerful interaction techniques mean MyTobii will also keep up with you.
Tobii Eye Tracking technology
Tobii’s eye tracking technology utilizes advanced image processing of a person’s face, eyes and reflections in the eyes of near-infrared reference lights to accurately estimate:
* the 3D position in space of each eye
* the precise target to which each eye gaze is directed towards
Key advantages
Tobii has taken eye tracking technology a significant step forward through a number of key innovations. Key advantages of Tobii’s eye tracking technology are:
* Fully automatic eye tracking
* High tracking accuracy
* Ability to track nearly all people
* Completely non-intrusive
* Good tolerance of head-motion
