by Larry Muncy

Created on: April 25, 2008

Technology has improved the lifestyles of many people with physical disabilities (myself included). It was extremely hard for me to finish high school and attend college during the early and mid 90s. It was hard because my immune system could not stand up against West Virginia's winter weather, and I found myself taking homebound classes whenever winter season arrived. I was fortunate enough to graduate high school, but I was unable to earn my college degree. Sadly, college did not offer homebound classes. I thought a college degree would be something I would never obtain, but I was unaware how technology would make such strides over the years.

Technology has allowed me to accomplish many things I was unable to accomplish when I was first paralyzed. As a C5 quadriplegic, I was unable to use the telephone with ease during the early 90s. I needed someone to answer the telephone for me. I was also forced to use the telephone's speakerphone feature as well. I hated both of these facts. The speakerphone feature was not ideal when I wanted to have a private conversation when someone else was in the room, and having to depend on someone else to answer and dial the telephone was never an ideal option. I was reminded I was paralyzed every time I received a call. I was reminded how dependent I was on others in such situations, and I hated it!

I was once forced to use a mouth stick to type. I used the mouth stick to press one computer, or typewriter, key at a time. I suffered from great neck pain on a regular basis because I was constantly moving my neck in order to press different keys.

Technology has blessed me with a voice activated computer. Now, I speak, and my computer types! Environmental control software allows me to control any electronic device in my house from the comfort of my bed with help from my laptop. Yahoo, Windows, and Skype are a few Internet companies that allow me to use my computer as a telephone I am able to control through voice commands. The Internet, combined with my voice activated computer, allows me to shop for Christmas gifts for my family without leaving the house. Such technology can also be found away from my computer as well.

Sip-n-puff technology allows me to move my wheelchair wherever I want by turning breathing patterns into driving commands. Environmental software that allows me to control electronic devices throughout my house can also be installed on my wheelchair.

The Internet, voice activation, and web cam technology allow me to earn the college degree I have wanted for so many years. Not only can I use the telephone, I can also have video conferences that allow me to have face to face discussions with teachers and coworkers even though they may be located in several different locations throughout the world. Technology has also given you the opportunity to read this article. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the technology I have described throughout this article has given me the sense of independence that was taken away in an automobile accident on February 13, 1991!

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