Technology Gives Me A Voice

By Jenell Gordon

This is a story of restoration and resurrection.  During my graduate studies at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville, I experienced recurrent tingling and numbness in my left arm and leg.  Preliminary research indicated that the cause was probably neurological.  After graduation, I accepted a clinical fellowship in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) in my home town of Norfolk, Virginia.

Concerned about the feelings in my extremities I consulted a neurologist and got an MRI.  On May 6, 1993 my suspicions were confirmed – I had an arteriovenous malformation (AVM).  At home, I searched through my textbooks determined to satisfy my curiosity – what is it?  An AVM is a cluster of malformed veins and arteries. In my case, the congenital AVM was on the pons, connected to the brainstem.  Removal of the AVM was highly recommended and risky. There I was 27-years-old – poised and ready to embark on a successful career – facing brain surgery.

With faith, and my parents, I began searching for a neurosurgeon.  The first doctor was associated with the University of Virginia Medical Center.  He was world-renowned but seemed hesitant about doing the surgery due to its location.  The second doctor, known as the guru of AVM, was associated with the Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut.  He offered a positive attitude, and a clear- cut plan to safely remove the AVM.  On January 7, 1997, at the age of 31, I faced death and after a successful surgery – lived.  My journey however, had just begun.

Recovery from this type of surgery requires extensive specialized rehabilitation.  After only two weeks in rehab, my insurance company demanded  I be transferred to a long-term care facility for the elderly.  As a result of inappropriate care and neglect, I have suffered many post-operative deficits,   including the inability to speak.  I was devastated.

My SLP training and my experience as a long-term hospital patient has placed me in the challenging position of being mentally alert with no voice. Fifteen years after graduating, I was given an instrument with which to communicate – the Vanguard II by the Prentke Romich Company.  This Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) device is my life-line to the world.  It is a godsend!  It has improved the quality of my life by enabling me   to communicate my thoughts and feelings.  It has given me independence and control.  The AAC device connects to my PC and allows me to interact with the world through e-mail.  As I type on the AAC device the words appear on the computer monitor like magic!

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