My
name is Brad Whitmoyer. I am currently seventeen years of age and going to be
graduating from high school in the year 2002. I go to Buckeye Valley High School,
which is "regular" high school. Or should I say, as regular as any
high school can be. After high school, I am planning to attend college as a
full time student to study either computer programming or prepare for work in
the area of research and development for communication devices. Hopefully, I
can help get communication devices "up to snuff" in other parts of
the world.
I am currently in the process of starting my own business of making wheelchair accessories - stickers, cup holders and things that would be nice to have on a wheelchair. I have been selected to receive a grant from the county to help me do this. My business should help keep me from being dependent on Medicaid for my personal care support.
I have a communication device called a Pathfinder. I never used to communicate with people who aren't familiar with my speech. When I got my first communication device, I wanted nothing to do with it. That went on until I went into the ninth grade. In ninth grade, I started taking my communication device (then a Liberator) with me to school. I didn't really use it too much because I spelled everything and, with spelling, it took too long to say what I needed and wanted. All of that changed when I met the one who is now my best friend. My friend inspired me to use the Liberator, but I would still spell everything. One day we were talking on-line and she simply told me that she was tired of waiting on me to type my messages. She said that if I didn't learn to use the vocabulary that came with my device (Unity®), she wasn't going to talk to me on-line again! That was a big wake up call for me. That day I started learning the vocabulary and using my device efficiently! I would like to thank that friend for everything she has done for me.
My communication device has improved my life tremendously. I used to go out with my family and stay alongside them because I didn't want to take my communication device out in public. Now, when I go somewhere with them, I ask them where and when they want to meet me. I go shopping by myself now. I'm not afraid to go up to girls (I found out chicks love a talking box!) and other people because now I can communicate.
I said the communication device has improved my life tremendously - that is an understatement!