by I want to go over voice banking first. Voice banking is recording your voice before you lose the ability to speak. I didn’t do this, I kept putting it off thinking I had time to do it later. I regret procrastinating to this day so please don’t be like me and do it for yourself and your family. The VA provides the recording device so I was told you need to record for about 15 hours or so then it will be synchronized with eye tracking software.
I’ve never been an early adopter when it comes to technology. I’ve worked with many who are and it always intrigued me. So my assistive technology sat on our kitchen counter for a good six months before I began using it. All the while I was frustrating the heck out of my wife and brother, caregivers, due to my losing the ability to speak. I realized how everyone was getting so frustrated at me so I booked an appointment with James at ATR, again to come for another refresher course. James has been most patient with me.
Technology did more than just give me back the ability to speak, it also provides the ability to write and use the Internet again. As I got more comfortable with the software I use or Eye Gaze, I was back to being conversational again. I even created this website using Eye Gaze. The VA provides all the assistive technology you need to give you your voice back. If you don’t have access to the VA, Team Gleason may be able to help.