Don and Lorraine have been married for 25 years and in that time couple have run a farm, had three kids and share a life together. But their life together would be altered forever, after Don was diagnosed with ALS in 1995. His motor functionality gradually deteriorated and within five years, Don was on a ventilator and unable to speak. Lorraine admits that at the point he lost his voice, it became very difficult for her.
But Lorraine persevered, taking on the responsibilities that Don did for their business, all while taking care of him and their children.
Some years past, and one day Lorraine heard Mick Ebeling from Not Impossible Labs talking on the radio and reached out to him to see if he could help her husband. Mick’s company creates accessible technology based solutions primarily in the areas of health, mobility, and communication.and reached out to him to see if he could help.
Don had been using his eyes to point on a letter board to spell out words and communicate with Lorraine. Seeing the potential for computer technology to replicate and improve on this process, Mick and a team of volunteers set to work to create something that would help Don speak.
Watch this beautiful story below, and make sure to have a tissue handy.
They made a program and device that allows Don to quickly scan the screen, which then strings together words into sentences and simulates an audible voice.
After 15 years, Don could speak quickly and share what is in his heart. One of the first things he said? “My dear Lorraine, I can’t imagine life without you. You have made the last 25 years fly by and the last 20 with ALS bearable. I can’t wait for the next 20 with you. Love, Don.”
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