Deborah Leedy
Age: 7
Home: New Jersey
Diagnosis: Rett Syndrome
PRC Device Received: VanguardTM
Deborah developed normally until about age one. Soon, however, her parents began noticing that their daughter was not attempting to walk or use as many words as their two older children had at that age. Deborah was eventually diagnosed with Rett Syndrome.
The rarity of the condition made it difficult for the Leedy family to secure funding for an AAC device that would allow Deborah to communicate with others. "An AAC device, to my knowledge, has never been recommended for Rett Syndrome patients," says Donna Leedy. "Due to the lack of information the insurance companies have about her condition, the cost would not be approved and the AAC device would not be considered a viable tool."
Deborah and her family are grateful for the gift of the PRC Vanguard. "The biggest challenge Deborah faces is her ability to communicate her wants, needs, and desires," says Donna. "Once she is fully trained on the AAC device, we expect it will greatly ease her frustrations and increase her communication skills. She already delights when she presses certain buttons and hears a familiar request."
Learn more about Deborah Leedy
Anthony Perry
Age: 44
Home: England
Diagnosis: Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy
PRC Device Received: VantageTM
The transition to an institution following the death of his parents several years ago was made all the more difficult by Anthony's inability to communicate his thoughts or needs.
"Anthony can only express himself through facial expression and by others learning to read his body language and guessing what he is trying to say," says his brother Mike. "As a result, there are difficulties with identifying Anthony's emotional needs, so important issues may go undetected due to the fact he is unable to verbalize his thoughts and feelings. He is also not able to express when he is in pain or what or where the pain he is experiencing is located, which can result in unnecessary discomfort and distress."
In the past, when given the opportunity to try AAC equipment, Anthony's spirits and general mood were lifted and enhanced by the opportunity to share his thoughts, express preferences, and make choices. But once the loaners had to be returned, Anthony was once again left without the power of speech and with limited communication alternatives.
Now that Anthony has his own PRC Vantage, Mike says, "he can enjoy freedom of speech, choice, and participation in his daily living, and it will allow him to make a valid contribution to society and at the same time enhance his health and well-being."
Learn more about Tony Perry
Daniel Eames
Age: 5
Home: Georgia
Diagnosis: Genetic Disorder
PRC Device Received: VantageTM
A genetic disorder prevents young Daniel from being able to speak, but thanks to his new Vantage, his mother Lisa says, "Daniel can now communicate what he is thinking and what he wants. The Vantage is as close to him using his own voice to construct language and sentences as possible."
Daniel took to the Vantage quickly and is doing very well with it. "Much of his immediate exploration took him to the 'body parts' and 'jokes' pages. He likes saying, 'That's a good one' and 'That's funny.' Daniel has gained a voice in our family and has to be reminded that he can't have the podium all the time!," reports his mother.
The Eames family hopes that in using the Vantage to communicate, "Daniel will be able to tell us what he truly knows, that he will be stimulated to talk on his own, and that he will share the joy of friendship and games with others."
Learn more about Daniel Eames
Brendan Hauer
(1992-2009)
Home: Washington
Diagnosis: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, with Anoxic Brain Injury, Aphonia, Dysarthria, and Spastic Quadraplegia
PRC Device Received: VanguardTM
Like many 11-year-olds, Brendan loved playing soccer, baseball, riding his bike, and hanging around with his friends. But one day on the school playground, he suffered a major cardiac arrest. He spent the next six months in intensive care. The cardiac arrest resulted in a severe anoxic brain injury.
Before the accident, he was "very active, outgoing, and well-liked by his peers," says his father. "This has been a very difficult time and adjustment for Brendan and our whole family. I think that not being able to communicate has to be one of the most frustrating aspects, especially for him and his brothers and friends."
Brendan, his two brothers and his parents are thankful for the Vanguard device and hope that "Brendan will find a way to use it so that he does not feel so left out and frustrated as he has retained his cognitive abilities but is so limited by his physical abilities."
Learn more about Brendan Hauer
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