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Greg Smith
 Greg Smith has not always been an AAC communicator. Nor has he always had to use a wheelchair to go from point “A” to point “B.” Greg was raised in a family that values competition. At an early age he learned that “to compete is victory.” Once as a child he decided that his leg braces and Canadian crutches would not deter him from running the bases on a baseball diamond. As he ran from first base to second base, falling, getting up, proceeding from second to third, falling, getting scratched and bruised -- he got back up and continued his quest. Yes. Greg Smith learned early on how to please his toughest critic. Himself! Greg can no longer walk or speak. He has cerebral palsy. He drives his wheel chair and accesses his Pathfinder using a single micro switch. The only body part that Greg can consistently move is his thumb. He originally learned Minspeak on a Touch Talker. He has now transitioned from a Liberator, to a Pathfinder. As a quarter row column scanner he is able to speak six to eight words per minute. And what words he uses. Greg has earned over 70 college credits at Community College of Allegheny County, by clicking and thumbing away. As you can well imagine, speaking and writing is laborious. For a quarter row column scanner not only is he an honor roll student in college but he is a published author of poetry. Greg has also written a children’s book and created a loveable character, “Wormy.” Greg volunteers as a reader of children’s stories at a nursery school. His fortitude, perseverance, and willingness to share of his most valuable commodity, time, earns him my vote as a hero in AAC. Submitted by Ken Kwasniewski M.A. CCC /SLP
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Trial Evaluation