
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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