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PRC Profile of Success: College Student Stacy Ellingen

New Wheelchair, Communication Device
Guest Commentary by Stacy Ellingen

Stacy Ellingen, who graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 2003, attends the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She lives with athetoid cerebral palsy. Stacy's commentary was first posted at fdlreporter.com (Fond du Lac Wisconsin online news). Stacy agreed to share the story with our Communications without Limitations newsletter readers.

For most college students and people my age, a new vehicle or a new cell phone is a huge deal. Since I can't drive or use those cool phones, I get excited about getting a new communication device or a new wheelchair.

Though laws and policies have changed recently, generally speaking, medical equipment usually can be replaced every five years or so. It's a long, drawn-out process, so when we start this, we are well aware that I won't actually get it for many months or even up to a year.

It was 2003 when I got my last wheelchair and communication device, so this past summer, it was time to start the process. In July 2007, we started looking at wheelchairs and started the paperwork for the insurances.

We are still looking at different chairs. There are so many different options. We're looking at a chair that tilts electronically, so I can stretch out my back by myself. There are also chairs that are on pedestals that electronically go up and down, so I'd be able to be eye level with people or reach something on a higher shelf.

The issue we're having is that the chairs with both options would be too tall to fit in the van. Whatever I get has to fit in the van. They have another chair for me to try out when I go home for spring break. Hopefully, I'll get one ordered then.

In August, I had an evaluation done at the UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) Center in Green Bay for a new communication device. Thanks to my friend Brad, I had an idea of what I wanted.PRC Regional Consultant, Terese Phelps, was there to show me the ECO-14 and the updated version on the Pathfinder, which is the device I had.

They had devices from other companies for me to try as well. The ECO-14 was definitely the best. It's a computer as well as a communication device. It has the same sequencing program as the Pathfinder, but it also has a word prediction program that predicts words when I start typing. When the word I want pops up, I can just press it and it'll appear.

I can also program common phrases I use in it. As I may have said before, I'm not a big fan of the sequencing program, but I'll use the word prediction program a lot more. The ECO-14 also has wireless Internet. I decided that it was what I wanted and we got the paperwork started that day.

One morning about two weeks ago, I woke up to a message on the computer from my dad saying my device was being shipped to Green Bay. I was so excited. Mom made me an appointment during spring break to go pick it up and have a little training.

These pieces of equipment are very expensive, but are essential for my independence.

Although I'd give anything to be able to drive a new car or use one of those phones, for me, getting new equipment is pretty exciting. 

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