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The Most Basic Human Need No One Talks About | Conor Begley | TEDxTeen


I want you to take a look at these

I want you to take a look at these photographs and see if you can find a

photographs and see if you can find a

photographs and see if you can find a connection between them so what do they

connection between them so what do they

connection between them so what do they have in common may not be clear but its

have in common may not be clear but its

have in common may not be clear but its communication the definition of

communication the definition of

communication the definition of communication is the imparting or

communication is the imparting or

communication is the imparting or exchanging of information in youths and

exchanging of information in youths and

exchanging of information in youths and that’s exactly what’s going on here in

that’s exactly what’s going on here in

that’s exactly what’s going on here in these pictures it might be something

these pictures it might be something

these pictures it might be something small like raising your hand to get a

small like raising your hand to get a

small like raising your hand to get a taxi I’ll give you something major like

taxi I’ll give you something major like

taxi I’ll give you something major like a social critique of the modern age in a

a social critique of the modern age in a

a social critique of the modern age in a painting but regardless it’s

painting but regardless it’s

painting but regardless it’s communication and it’s important after

communication and it’s important after

communication and it’s important after all life without even the most basic

all life without even the most basic

all life without even the most basic communication would be very different to

communication would be very different to

communication would be very different to say at least we communicate every moment

say at least we communicate every moment

say at least we communicate every moment of our lives from the second were born

of our lives from the second were born

of our lives from the second were born and we cry we’re communicating and it

and we cry we’re communicating and it

and we cry we’re communicating and it doesn’t even have to be verbal you can

doesn’t even have to be verbal you can

doesn’t even have to be verbal you can only have took these photographs to see

only have took these photographs to see

only have took these photographs to see that none of those communications

that none of those communications

that none of those communications involve speaking and it doesn’t even

involve speaking and it doesn’t even

involve speaking and it doesn’t even have to be intentional our body language

have to be intentional our body language

have to be intentional our body language speaks volumes so much so that a study

speaks volumes so much so that a study

speaks volumes so much so that a study that shows that you can recognize the

that shows that you can recognize the

that shows that you can recognize the emotion happiness in 23 milliseconds

emotion happiness in 23 milliseconds

emotion happiness in 23 milliseconds that’s a whole lot faster it isn’t

that’s a whole lot faster it isn’t

that’s a whole lot faster it isn’t saying the words I’m happy and with us I

saying the words I’m happy and with us I

saying the words I’m happy and with us I believe communication is the basic human

believe communication is the basic human

believe communication is the basic human need sure we need water food and shelter

need sure we need water food and shelter

need sure we need water food and shelter to survive but every animal needs that

to survive but every animal needs that

to survive but every animal needs that communication is something that gives us

communication is something that gives us

communication is something that gives us not the ability to survive but to live

not the ability to survive but to live

not the ability to survive but to live it allows us to convey feelings share

it allows us to convey feelings share

it allows us to convey feelings share ideas have fun all of which makes up the

ideas have fun all of which makes up the

ideas have fun all of which makes up the human condition and gives us freedom now

human condition and gives us freedom now

human condition and gives us freedom now I could have opened with a different

I could have opened with a different

I could have opened with a different example I could have shown you these

example I could have shown you these

example I could have shown you these pictures and asked you what if you

pictures and asked you what if you

pictures and asked you what if you couldn’t tell someone you needed to go

couldn’t tell someone you needed to go

couldn’t tell someone you needed to go to the bathroom or maybe that you are

to the bathroom or maybe that you are

to the bathroom or maybe that you are hungry or you couldn’t let someone know

hungry or you couldn’t let someone know

hungry or you couldn’t let someone know you were tired or even just feeling sick

you were tired or even just feeling sick

you were tired or even just feeling sick well you probably wouldn’t you might not

well you probably wouldn’t you might not

well you probably wouldn’t you might not consider these things because you can

consider these things because you can

consider these things because you can they’re busy keep taking for granted you

they’re busy keep taking for granted you

they’re busy keep taking for granted you could get up right now and go to the

could get up right now and go to the

could get up right now and go to the bathroom if you needed to but whenever

bathroom if you needed to but whenever

bathroom if you needed to but whenever communication is difficult in a

communication is difficult in a

communication is difficult in a challenge in itself

challenge in itself

challenge in itself these actions become very hard to do

these actions become very hard to do

these actions become very hard to do and there’s a lot of things out there

and there’s a lot of things out there

and there’s a lot of things out there that can limit communication brain

that can limit communication brain

that can limit communication brain injury strokes and your desire of

injury strokes and your desire of

injury strokes and your desire of diseases speech impediments and to name

diseases speech impediments and to name

diseases speech impediments and to name one more cerebral palsy now you’re

one more cerebral palsy now you’re

one more cerebral palsy now you’re probably wondering why I’m standing up

probably wondering why I’m standing up

probably wondering why I’m standing up here you’re thinking this person

here you’re thinking this person

here you’re thinking this person communicate perfectly or so I hope well

communicate perfectly or so I hope well

communicate perfectly or so I hope well I’m not here to tell my story but rather

I’m not here to tell my story but rather

I’m not here to tell my story but rather the story of my aunt’s funeral an

the story of my aunt’s funeral an

the story of my aunt’s funeral an adventure of mine quick hum so Fiona was

adventure of mine quick hum so Fiona was

adventure of mine quick hum so Fiona was born on the 9th of February 1973 due to

born on the 9th of February 1973 due to

born on the 9th of February 1973 due to unfortunate circumstances of births

unfortunate circumstances of births

unfortunate circumstances of births mainly having lack of oxygen she’d about

mainly having lack of oxygen she’d about

mainly having lack of oxygen she’d about cerebral palsy which is essentially

cerebral palsy which is essentially

cerebral palsy which is essentially brain damage to the part of the brain

brain damage to the part of the brain

brain damage to the part of the brain that controls motor functions as a

that controls motor functions as a

that controls motor functions as a result of this she’s been in a

result of this she’s been in a

result of this she’s been in a wheelchair she can’t speak and is very

wheelchair she can’t speak and is very

wheelchair she can’t speak and is very very limited motor movement and she’s

very limited motor movement and she’s

very limited motor movement and she’s not alone there is belief – Mia right 17

not alone there is belief – Mia right 17

not alone there is belief – Mia right 17 million people worldwide at servo palsy

million people worldwide at servo palsy

million people worldwide at servo palsy however not all the more severe it can

however not all the more severe it can

however not all the more severe it can be something small like maybe having a

be something small like maybe having a

be something small like maybe having a limp or it can be even worse than

limp or it can be even worse than

limp or it can be even worse than Fiona’s to give an example 1 & 2 is in

Fiona’s to give an example 1 & 2 is in

Fiona’s to give an example 1 & 2 is in chronic pain I wanted to is an

chronic pain I wanted to is an

chronic pain I wanted to is an intellectual impairment 104 is epilepsy

intellectual impairment 104 is epilepsy

intellectual impairment 104 is epilepsy and one in five is tube fed among many

and one in five is tube fed among many

and one in five is tube fed among many other things I give you any combination

other things I give you any combination

other things I give you any combination of these however despite this fiona has

of these however despite this fiona has

of these however despite this fiona has led a normal life as as possible as you

led a normal life as as possible as you

led a normal life as as possible as you can see in those photographs she’s got

can see in those photographs she’s got

can see in those photographs she’s got up to some pretty crazy antics I’ve

up to some pretty crazy antics I’ve

up to some pretty crazy antics I’ve heard stories of her going on storm

heard stories of her going on storm

heard stories of her going on storm wolves and up here in the middle of a

wolves and up here in the middle of a

wolves and up here in the middle of a storm – helping her friends cheating

storm – helping her friends cheating

storm – helping her friends cheating class tests – even being knocked out by

class tests – even being knocked out by

class tests – even being knocked out by her brothers when they build souped-up

her brothers when they build souped-up

her brothers when they build souped-up tricycles for her and racer ran the art

tricycles for her and racer ran the art

tricycles for her and racer ran the art and why has she had this opportunity to

and why has she had this opportunity to

and why has she had this opportunity to have his normal life as possible one

have his normal life as possible one

have his normal life as possible one simple thing she can raise her eyebrows

simple thing she can raise her eyebrows

simple thing she can raise her eyebrows yes just her eyebrows so my granny

yes just her eyebrows so my granny

yes just her eyebrows so my granny discovered this at a very wealthy ones

discovered this at a very wealthy ones

discovered this at a very wealthy ones very young age and devised a system for

very young age and devised a system for

very young age and devised a system for based on just having the sections of the

based on just having the sections of the

based on just having the sections of the alphabet and asking verbal cues – which

alphabet and asking verbal cues – which

alphabet and asking verbal cues – which one would raise her eyebrows and she

one would raise her eyebrows and she

one would raise her eyebrows and she spelled words and sentences

spelled words and sentences

spelled words and sentences it isn’t ideal but it gives you a lot of

it isn’t ideal but it gives you a lot of

it isn’t ideal but it gives you a lot of freedom and communication fortunately a

freedom and communication fortunately a

freedom and communication fortunately a lot of disabled people have this luxury

lot of disabled people have this luxury

lot of disabled people have this luxury in that there’s a rudimentary system in

in that there’s a rudimentary system in

in that there’s a rudimentary system in place for them to be able to smell or

place for them to be able to smell or

place for them to be able to smell or communicate in some way

communicate in some way

communicate in some way but again it’s not perfect they don’t

but again it’s not perfect they don’t

but again it’s not perfect they don’t have complete freedom of communication

have complete freedom of communication

have complete freedom of communication they rely on someone else to be there

they rely on someone else to be there

they rely on someone else to be there someone else to pay attention to them

someone else to pay attention to them

someone else to pay attention to them especially in case there could be dire

especially in case there could be dire

especially in case there could be dire consequences they don’t so where do I

consequences they don’t so where do I

consequences they don’t so where do I fit into this well I grew up and

fit into this well I grew up and

fit into this well I grew up and visiting feel and an awful lot of time

visiting feel and an awful lot of time

visiting feel and an awful lot of time at my grandparents s from even a young

at my grandparents s from even a young

at my grandparents s from even a young age at the start I didn’t realize

age at the start I didn’t realize

age at the start I didn’t realize anything was different okay Fiona I took

anything was different okay Fiona I took

anything was different okay Fiona I took her to be as she was there stories of me

her to be as she was there stories of me

her to be as she was there stories of me as a kid running around the kitchen and

as a kid running around the kitchen and

as a kid running around the kitchen and Fiona has as a result of server palsy

Fiona has as a result of server palsy

Fiona has as a result of server palsy has can have random muscle movements so

has can have random muscle movements so

has can have random muscle movements so like our arms Concetta so one time that

like our arms Concetta so one time that

like our arms Concetta so one time that happened as I was running past her and I

happened as I was running past her and I

happened as I was running past her and I just ducked under and went 9 under that

just ducked under and went 9 under that

just ducked under and went 9 under that you missed me thinking it was just an

you missed me thinking it was just an

you missed me thinking it was just an action on purpose the way some parent

action on purpose the way some parent

action on purpose the way some parent I’m drunk on my try and grab a kid as

I’m drunk on my try and grab a kid as

I’m drunk on my try and grab a kid as they’re running as a joke or something

they’re running as a joke or something

they’re running as a joke or something but as I grew up I did come to realize

but as I grew up I did come to realize

but as I grew up I did come to realize when I had a severe disability but this

when I had a severe disability but this

when I had a severe disability but this didn’t change a relationship for example

didn’t change a relationship for example

didn’t change a relationship for example around 8 or 9 years old I learned to

around 8 or 9 years old I learned to

around 8 or 9 years old I learned to spell with her and talk with her but if

spell with her and talk with her but if

spell with her and talk with her but if you want to being Fiona and I think in a

you want to being Fiona and I think in a

you want to being Fiona and I think in a bit of revenge for my antics earlier she

bit of revenge for my antics earlier she

bit of revenge for my antics earlier she would perhaps he spelled words wrong for

would perhaps he spelled words wrong for

would perhaps he spelled words wrong for me to make me look bad and especially

me to make me look bad and especially

me to make me look bad and especially when my sisters are around but over time

when my sisters are around but over time

when my sisters are around but over time we grew pretty close together and I came

we grew pretty close together and I came

we grew pretty close together and I came to appreciate her as I said it’s good

to appreciate her as I said it’s good

to appreciate her as I said it’s good but it’s not perfect

but it’s not perfect

but it’s not perfect she doesn’t have complete freedom she

she doesn’t have complete freedom she

she doesn’t have complete freedom she relies on someone else she’s inspired me

relies on someone else she’s inspired me

relies on someone else she’s inspired me so I want to return a favor to her so I

so I want to return a favor to her so I

so I want to return a favor to her so I built an invention quick up I can show a

built an invention quick up I can show a

built an invention quick up I can show a picture because I’m in the process of

picture because I’m in the process of

picture because I’m in the process of applying for patent but to give you an

applying for patent but to give you an

applying for patent but to give you an idea if you can imagine maybe a screen

idea if you can imagine maybe a screen

idea if you can imagine maybe a screen but 20 centimeters by 30 centimeters on

but 20 centimeters by 30 centimeters on

but 20 centimeters by 30 centimeters on the side of a wheelchair and a sensor so

the side of a wheelchair and a sensor so

the side of a wheelchair and a sensor so in the case of my aunt she wears that on

in the case of my aunt she wears that on

in the case of my aunt she wears that on her forehead in a headband and again

her forehead in a headband and again

her forehead in a headband and again just by raising her eyebrows she

just by raising her eyebrows she

just by raising her eyebrows she communicates so was a few things

communicates so was a few things

communicates so was a few things prompted me to build this first of all

prompted me to build this first of all

prompted me to build this first of all reading books

reading books

reading books she won’t know who loves to read however

she won’t know who loves to read however

she won’t know who loves to read however that’s pretty difficult for her

that’s pretty difficult for her

that’s pretty difficult for her especially cuz she can’t turn the pages

especially cuz she can’t turn the pages

especially cuz she can’t turn the pages she relies in someone else to do that

she relies in someone else to do that

she relies in someone else to do that fer when I was younger I used to

fer when I was younger I used to

fer when I was younger I used to volunteer this up when I stayed there

volunteer this up when I stayed there

volunteer this up when I stayed there after school however I was pretty guilty

after school however I was pretty guilty

after school however I was pretty guilty of getting distracted in my own book and

of getting distracted in my own book and

of getting distracted in my own book and forgetting to turn the pages for her

forgetting to turn the pages for her

forgetting to turn the pages for her leaving her five or six minutes having

leaving her five or six minutes having

leaving her five or six minutes having nothing to do which is kind of unfair

nothing to do which is kind of unfair

nothing to do which is kind of unfair so that was the first thing building an

so that was the first thing building an

so that was the first thing building an advice that letter reboots just what her

advice that letter reboots just what her

advice that letter reboots just what her I was from there I added a communication

I was from there I added a communication

I was from there I added a communication platform so originally it just phrases

platform so originally it just phrases

platform so originally it just phrases but then adding a I’ve been able to

but then adding a I’ve been able to

but then adding a I’ve been able to spell just like she used to do with my

spell just like she used to do with my

spell just like she used to do with my grant at the moment it’s not perfect in

grant at the moment it’s not perfect in

grant at the moment it’s not perfect in that my granny can silk mean to get a

that my granny can silk mean to get a

that my granny can silk mean to get a lot faster than the system like my

lot faster than the system like my

lot faster than the system like my granny’s predictive tax like a put a

granny’s predictive tax like a put a

granny’s predictive tax like a put a form to shame

form to shame

form to shame but over time I hope it would be more

but over time I hope it would be more

but over time I hope it would be more use with new carers coming in to look

use with new carers coming in to look

use with new carers coming in to look after Fiona and she’s a few nieces and

after Fiona and she’s a few nieces and

after Fiona and she’s a few nieces and nephews who are quite young they’re

nephews who are quite young they’re

nephews who are quite young they’re growing up I wanted to give them the

growing up I wanted to give them the

growing up I wanted to give them the opportunity to communicate for this

opportunity to communicate for this

opportunity to communicate for this amazing person what I’m having to wait

amazing person what I’m having to wait

amazing person what I’m having to wait until they are old enough to know how to

until they are old enough to know how to

until they are old enough to know how to be able to spell and use this patent

be able to spell and use this patent

be able to spell and use this patent system a and hat and the final step was

system a and hat and the final step was

system a and hat and the final step was adding and sort of environmental control

adding and sort of environmental control

adding and sort of environmental control so my Aunt Fiona loves to watch TV

so my Aunt Fiona loves to watch TV

so my Aunt Fiona loves to watch TV especially soap operas but my Grandda

especially soap operas but my Grandda

especially soap operas but my Grandda loves to watch golf now I’m sure we’ve

loves to watch golf now I’m sure we’ve

loves to watch golf now I’m sure we’ve all had that problem where we are

all had that problem where we are

all had that problem where we are watching TV maybe put the remote out of

watching TV maybe put the remote out of

watching TV maybe put the remote out of her hand and maybe one of her siblings

her hand and maybe one of her siblings

her hand and maybe one of her siblings or parents will come in and change the

or parents will come in and change the

or parents will come in and change the channel for us but at least we can get

channel for us but at least we can get

channel for us but at least we can get up and snaps the remote back if you want

up and snaps the remote back if you want

up and snaps the remote back if you want to can’t exactly do that so I wanted to

to can’t exactly do that so I wanted to

to can’t exactly do that so I wanted to give her a fighting chance so now she

give her a fighting chance so now she

give her a fighting chance so now she can control the TV with just her

can control the TV with just her

can control the TV with just her eyebrows and this gives you a lot of

eyebrows and this gives you a lot of

eyebrows and this gives you a lot of freedom but I also offend and give my

freedom but I also offend and give my

freedom but I also offend and give my granny freedom so my granny has been

granny freedom so my granny has been

granny freedom so my granny has been looking after Fiona since she was born

looking after Fiona since she was born

looking after Fiona since she was born which is a hands-on job but she also

which is a hands-on job but she also

which is a hands-on job but she also raised five other children all of which

raised five other children all of which

raised five other children all of which were boys and had a career as a primary

were boys and had a career as a primary

were boys and had a career as a primary school teacher even now at 79 years old

school teacher even now at 79 years old

school teacher even now at 79 years old she still wanted to she sent the

she still wanted to she sent the

she still wanted to she sent the forefront of looking after Fiona which

forefront of looking after Fiona which

forefront of looking after Fiona which is lending from both them because Fiona

is lending from both them because Fiona

is lending from both them because Fiona has to get granny’s attention doesn’t

has to get granny’s attention doesn’t

has to get granny’s attention doesn’t maybe spell and granny has to constantly

maybe spell and granny has to constantly

maybe spell and granny has to constantly serve just thinking about Fiona so it

serve just thinking about Fiona so it

serve just thinking about Fiona so it gives her freedom to now quick comes not

gives her freedom to now quick comes not

gives her freedom to now quick comes not perfect but it’s not bad for something

perfect but it’s not bad for something

perfect but it’s not bad for something I’ve built my garage as I said before

I’ve built my garage as I said before

I’ve built my garage as I said before I’m flying for Peyton and I’ve built a

I’m flying for Peyton and I’ve built a

I’m flying for Peyton and I’ve built a few prototypes but it was a learning

few prototypes but it was a learning

few prototypes but it was a learning experience not from the point of view of

experience not from the point of view of

experience not from the point of view of technology or computer science I had a

technology or computer science I had a

technology or computer science I had a lot of those skills already but from the

lot of those skills already but from the

lot of those skills already but from the point of view of communication so

point of view of communication so

point of view of communication so there’s one thing I’ll never forget when

there’s one thing I’ll never forget when

there’s one thing I’ll never forget when I was building quit come it was one of

I was building quit come it was one of

I was building quit come it was one of the first times I was testing it with

the first times I was testing it with

the first times I was testing it with you Anna and I got her to spell

you Anna and I got her to spell

you Anna and I got her to spell something

something

something now I thought she’d spelled something

now I thought she’d spelled something

now I thought she’d spelled something like hello my name is Fiona

like hello my name is Fiona

like hello my name is Fiona instead she turned out a series of curse

instead she turned out a series of curse

instead she turned out a series of curse words

words

words I did not say that see that coming

I did not say that see that coming

I did not say that see that coming but in hindsight it kind of made sense

but in hindsight it kind of made sense

but in hindsight it kind of made sense because as a child

because as a child

because as a child we’re told cursings forbidden and even

we’re told cursings forbidden and even

we’re told cursings forbidden and even as Apple society doesn’t really like us

as Apple society doesn’t really like us

as Apple society doesn’t really like us which is fair enough but in moments of

which is fair enough but in moments of

which is fair enough but in moments of passion or anger maybe we throw one out

passion or anger maybe we throw one out

passion or anger maybe we throw one out there she wanted never really had that

there she wanted never really had that

there she wanted never really had that option because in order to do that she

option because in order to do that she

option because in order to do that she have to spell that for someone else and

have to spell that for someone else and

have to spell that for someone else and have it in their voice especially my

have it in their voice especially my

have it in their voice especially my granny I don’t think any of us would say

granny I don’t think any of us would say

granny I don’t think any of us would say curse word in front of our parents so I

curse word in front of our parents so I

curse word in front of our parents so I realized that if you wanna had more

realized that if you wanna had more

realized that if you wanna had more slides for than even I give her credit

slides for than even I give her credit

slides for than even I give her credit for there’s more of a personality hidden

for there’s more of a personality hidden

for there’s more of a personality hidden behind not communicating so I wanted to

behind not communicating so I wanted to

behind not communicating so I wanted to build it for people so I want to

build it for people so I want to

build it for people so I want to mass-produce it however it’s not as

mass-produce it however it’s not as

mass-produce it however it’s not as simple as a one-size-fits-all kind of

simple as a one-size-fits-all kind of

simple as a one-size-fits-all kind of system so I like designing a TV or phone

system so I like designing a TV or phone

system so I like designing a TV or phone the user is different no to disabilities

the user is different no to disabilities

the user is different no to disabilities are the same and no two instances of

are the same and no two instances of

are the same and no two instances of disability are the same either each

disability are the same either each

disability are the same either each person is unique this can cause problems

person is unique this can cause problems

person is unique this can cause problems but quick commas kind of designed for

but quick commas kind of designed for

but quick commas kind of designed for that and the fundamentals behind it so

that and the fundamentals behind it so

that and the fundamentals behind it so the person wants a simple option like

the person wants a simple option like

the person wants a simple option like having a few phrases that they can use

having a few phrases that they can use

having a few phrases that they can use or perhaps another person who maybe has

or perhaps another person who maybe has

or perhaps another person who maybe has a few movements can maybe bend their

a few movements can maybe bend their

a few movements can maybe bend their fingers or move their knee or something

fingers or move their knee or something

fingers or move their knee or something and wants a whole suite of options they

and wants a whole suite of options they

and wants a whole suite of options they can have it with quick on with the

can have it with quick on with the

can have it with quick on with the fundamentals regardless of what

fundamentals regardless of what

fundamentals regardless of what community asset system is being used via

community asset system is being used via

community asset system is being used via quick arm or just something rear

quick arm or just something rear

quick arm or just something rear dimension like like while my granny and

dimension like like while my granny and

dimension like like while my granny and fiona used to use the motivation is

fiona used to use the motivation is

fiona used to use the motivation is still the same the need for social

still the same the need for social

still the same the need for social contact we get to show our personalities

contact we get to show our personalities

contact we get to show our personalities to what we say and do we show compassion

to what we say and do we show compassion

to what we say and do we show compassion through compliments we show intelligence

through compliments we show intelligence

through compliments we show intelligence through asking questions we show humor

through asking questions we show humor

through asking questions we show humor through telling jokes and in talking to

through telling jokes and in talking to

through telling jokes and in talking to people we see who they are know how can

people we see who they are know how can

people we see who they are know how can you get to know someone if you can’t

you get to know someone if you can’t

you get to know someone if you can’t talk to them if they can’t communicate

talk to them if they can’t communicate

talk to them if they can’t communicate short answer is you can’t really it’s

short answer is you can’t really it’s

short answer is you can’t really it’s quite unfair because might we consider

quite unfair because might we consider

quite unfair because might we consider our weaknesses don’t define our

our weaknesses don’t define our

our weaknesses don’t define our personalities so why should we let

personalities so why should we let

personalities so why should we let disability to find someone else’s it’s

disability to find someone else’s it’s

disability to find someone else’s it’s not fair everyone deserves the right to

not fair everyone deserves the right to

not fair everyone deserves the right to mean again quicken was my bold move what

mean again quicken was my bold move what

mean again quicken was my bold move what serious thank you

serious thank you

serious thank you you

”

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