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Robert Konrad
 How can I equate any experience to the privilege of providing Robert with a voice? When he tried his first communication device – he was essentially told that he failed and showed no potential. Imagine that. Imagine going through life for 25 years only being able to indicate a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ when you have thousands of words, feelings, and thoughts bursting to come out. Fortunately, I knew the PRC Regional Consultant who believed that Robert was a good candidate for a device and only needed adequate support. Robert was driven to learn and determined to succeed. To this day, I am immensely grateful to witness the continual development of Robert’s expressive language – from his first “I love you” for his brother to his chosen expletive for the doctor who diagnosed him as profoundly mentally retarded! Robert is a hero because he is simply an ordinary person with extraordinary circumstances, who, despite the odds being stacked against him, conquers the ability to speak his mind. Both of Robert’s parents and a brother passed away several years ago, prior to him using a communication device. Everyone knew how proud they would be and probably not a bit surprised at his aptitude to converse using advanced technology. Robert loves to visit, go out to eat, and travel with a brother who lives nearby. He is a fan of classic TV shows, stand-up comedy and talk radio. Robert can now fully participate in problem-solving and making choices. He was able to pursue his options and make decisions regarding a medical procedure that some people were not in agreement with. Prior to using a device, he was always dependent on others. Being able to communicate directly with all medical personnel with respect to procedures, follow-up care, inquiries, and concerns - allowed Robert to independently decide. Most recently, his biggest challenge was stepping outside of his “dependent” role and advocating for himself. He was determined to move to a small care home and made himself heard. He prepared meeting notes, communicated his needs with no uncertain terms, left notes for his social worker and asserted himself. He was successful. His device has enabled his ability to become a self-advocate. Robert’s main goals are to continue his education and to improve his reading and writing skills. Robert would like to pursue settings that compliment his personality and cognitive abilities. Robert is just beginning to take measures into his own hands. Robert’s goals would be impossible to accomplish without a means of communication and a language structure that allows for novel expressions. I asked Robert to independently contribute to the interview and he prepared the following in his Pathfinder notebook. This is an exact quote:
“My story by Robert Konrad. I am 36 years old. I was without a voice for others hear my opinions and my ideas and my feeling’s. I tried a Light talker they said I can’t do it. I got my first Liberator in 1995. Catherin helped me to get to know the Liberator well. And then I graduated to the Pathfinder. My sentences was all wrong. I hear the word in my head like graf. This word is the animal with a long neck. I work hard to learn say new words. Talking is important to me.”
Submitted by
Catherin Raio, PRC Regional Consultant
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Trial Evaluation