Profiles of Success - Chatterbox Club of Spokane, WA (see photo below)
The Chatterbox Club was established over a year ago to provide an opportunity for AAC users to meet, discuss important issues, educate the public about AAC and just to have fun. We meet each month at St. Luke's Rehabilitation Center in Spokane, Washington.
We're very interested in planning for our futures. Our younger members have learned a good deal from Amber and Gina about higher education, employment opportunities and advocacy issues. Amber and Gina initially were "guest speakers" for our club. Lucky for us, they decided to become regular members. We also read essays and profiles about other adult AAC users and regularly discuss funding and support issues.
We have had many service providers visit our meetings. We also plan to invite other individuals who have a major influence on our future success, such as college advisors and medical insurance case managers.
Mia Emerson, PRC Regional Consultant, is our club facilitator. Because she's a speech language pathologist, she can't resist throwing in some "therapy-like" activities to our club activities. The activities are usually pretty fun.
With the help of DecTalk, we are all great at singing -- in tune and with perfect tempo, I might add. The problem is getting everyone to start singing at the same time. We're getting better. When we started rehearsing, we sounded like we were singing in rounds (or worse- completely different songs). Now it just sounds like we have lots of echos. Snoopi - move over. Here we come!
Our members include: (Left to right in photograph - sibling "honorary" members, Sha and Ben, are standing)
Andrea Swenson:
I have cerebral palsy. I am 14 years old and in the 8th grade at Sacajawea Middle
School in Spokane, Washington. I have had my Vanguard for about 16 months. I
use a switch mounted by my knee for scanning. I enjoy talking with friends at
school using the Vanguard and using it with a computer.
I am a Senior Girl Scout, enjoy baseball, bowling, hippotherapy and skiing with the sit-ski I designed with my grandfather and father.
Abby Quantock:
My name is Abby. I am nine years old and I am in 4th grade. I love animals
and like to wear my hair in braids. I like my Vanguard because I play games,
tell jokes, sing and talk to people. My Vanguard helps me with my computer and
helps me turn my radio and TV on. I love going to the Chatterbox Club because
I talk with other kids who have Vanguards.
Anthony Bishop:
My name is Anthony, and I am 16 years old and in the 10th grade at Shadle Park
High School in Spokane, Washington. I have used a Liberator since I was in lst
grade. I use a wobble switch with scanning to access my device. I am waiting
to get a Vanguard. It should be here soon. I am really excited to get it, since
I will be using optical selection with a head pointer. I think this will be
faster, because my muscle tone is always changing, and it is sometimes difficult
and frustrating to use a switch. I can't always say what I want to.
I love football, girls and food, but not necessarily in that order. I have been made an honorary coach of the football team at Shadle Park. When I get my Vanguard the coaches are going to let me call some plays for an actual game. Mike Holmgren, watch out! I like school a lot, as this is where I do most of my socializing.
I am undecided as to my future after high school. I really want to have a job, preferably with coaching some type of football, but I don't know if this will be feasible.
Katie Johnson:
Hi, I'm Katie and I am 13 years old. This is my first year at Sacajawea Middle
School and it is exciting!
My family includes my dad, mom, and my 11-year-old brother, Ben. We also have a dog named Toto, and two gerbils named Wheelie and Speedie. We live in Spokane, Washington and travel in the summer to Vermont where my Grandpa stays.
I have used my Vanguard for 1-1/2 years now and everyday I learn to say more and more with my new voice. Mom says it is invaluable for us all. I like the songs and jokes and play these with my friends and my brother Ben.
Gina McMaster:
I am 28 years old and have used a Liberator for over eight years now. I
use Morse code for accessing and I use Unity. My world has expanded greatly
due mostly to my success in learning and using my device. I have been labeled
an "expert user."
I was asked to represent AAC users at a Shareholder Forum on Communication Enhancement in Buffalo, New York. I participated in a research project where I met a lot of great people in the AAC field. I was also a mentor via the Internet for another AAC user entering college this past fall.
One of my goals is to encourage young AAC users in using their devices and to continue with my volunteer jobs. My favorite volunteer job is helping first graders with their reading program.
Amber Green:
I am 24 years old and have CP. I use an augmentative communication device
called the Pathfinder. I have been using some kind of AAC device since I was
eight years old.
I have a job as a volunteer teacher's aide in a pre-school classroom. I program stories into my Pathfinder so that I can read to the kids. Using my device, I also do weather and calendar with them. I like having children's songs programmed into my Pathfinder. It's fun to sing with the kids. I am hoping to lead them in a song at their Christmas program.
The Pathfinder helps me with my job. It's a great help!