It took a couple of months for the Marshalls to get their Pathfinder. I went to the house after the device was delivered to assist with the setup.  The mount that was delivered was for the left side of the wheelchair.  Mr. Willie wanted it on his right side.  As I attempted to figure out how to switch the parts (I am NOT an OT or PT), Mr. Willie proceeded to laugh at me the entire time until I figured it out (with his direction).   Soon after receiving the Pathfinder, both Mr. Willie and Valerie attended a training done at the hospital in Augusta, Georgia.  This is when I discovered that Mr. Willie was a preacher. 

I challenged him at that time (mid December) to preach again using his Pathfinder. We also talked about how the device could access environmental controls around the house.  Since Mr. Willie was often home alone or with a nurse while Valerie worked, he wanted to be able to control the television.  Since the family had a satellite dish, they were only able to access channel up and channel down.  Imagine 300 channels being accessed this way.  Again, I went out for a visit.  Mr. Willie offered to buy me lunch when I programmed direct access for 30 of his favorite channels.

In the beginning of September, Valerie called to tell me that Mr. Willie was ready to preach again.  He worked hard on his sermon, storing it into a notebook on his device.  He allowed me to back it up but would not allow me to read it.  (Oh, did I mention that Mr. Willie was a single switch scanner that only had the ability to move his index finger with any accuracy?) 

Two weeks later, I loaded my family into the minivan and headed for Thomson, Georgia.  We arrived at the small church in the middle of nowhere to a packed house.  Mr. Willie preached his heart out that day using his Pathfinder.  There was no misery or self-pity, just a true love of life and an appreciation for all of his friends and family.  He continued to attend church and preach when he was able.  His Pathfinder gave him the means to inspire all those around him.  

Recently, Valerie called me to tell me that Mr. Willie had passed away.  I had to share that his strength was such an inspiration to all who met him or even heard about him.  Mr. Willie was a true AAC hero.  We will miss you greatly, Mr. Willie, but we know that you are in a better place!