I met Bryan at Long Beach City College in 1994.  His Touch Talker was broken and he could only use it for spelling.  I knew immediately how bright he was because he had begun manually re-programming the Touch Talker by storing, from memory, the vocabulary to the icons.  Later, he eagerly achieved immediate success with a Liberator and now a Pathfinder.  With his device, Bryan is able to: manage his own money, be an efficient Internet user, participate in AAC classes and organizations, enroll in college and successfully accomplish mainstream class work.  This is a gentleman who embraces technology with every fiber of his being and continues to support and mentor other AAC users in a class offered by his local regional center.

One of Bryan’s biggest challenges has been his health.  Bryan has a history of digestion and assimilation problems.  He chose to educate himself on good nutrition and used his Pathfinder to communicate not only his medical status, but his desire to change his diet.  He can communicate to his care attendants what foods he needs to prepare and how to prepare them.  He can also use his Pathfinder to purchase his own specific foods online.

One of Bryan's goals is to become a computer programmer.  He attended college for several years, taking the required coursework to achieve his goal.  Painstakingly, he has come to realize that he needs to shift his direction due to some of the difficult coursework.  With his passion so close to AAC, he has decided he wants to mentor and help other AAC users.  He is now seeking vocational opportunities in the field of AAC, specifically as a remote troubleshooter technician for AAC users.

A hero is a brave man.  A brave man is one who gathers courage from all directions to go forth on a path that may involve great resistance.  Bryan is this man.  His desire is not only to continue learning but to also give back what he has been given to others.  Bryan is one of the most genuine and authentic individuals I have ever met.  He is kind, considerate, and empathetic to all people.  He has a true compassion for humankind and always has a bright smile and an infectious laugh to cheer others along the way.  I am grateful to have him as a part of my life.

Submitted by:  Marilyn J. Edwards, M.S. CCC-SLP