12/15/2025
Working with people affected by ALS causes you to be confronted on a regular basis that tomorrow is not promised. Most of the time we are able to view what we do as a blessing to the clients and their families. We care deeply for all of our clients, but there are those special ones that we make a connection with. Last week, one of our dear ones left this earth. I would like to leave this tribute here to his memory:
This week we lost a truly special soul. When we met in 2020, he was already very affected by the horrible disease of ALS. We had the privilege of providing him with equipment for communication and other items to allow him to remain as independent as possible for someone who was immobile except for the ability to move his eyes.
Even though he could not speak, he was able to communicate. We spent countless hours with him editing his pages to his exact specifications. When you were in the room with him, he had a special smirk that he could muster to signal if you were on the right track or not.
Over the years, ALS kept robbing him of his health and ability to operate his eye gaze system. He went through phases where he was not able to use his device. After a couple of months of hiatus with his device, when he was able to get back on it, he picked up right where he left off working on some legal documents. His body was failing him, but his mind maintained its sharpness. When he started to have some additional difficulties using his device we worked closely with Bridging Voice to work through a number of factors, and we were able to get him back into his device.
His disability pushed the boundaries of what current AT can do. He pushed us as a company to find creative solutions. He was also a striking example of the strength of the human spirit’s ability to endure in spite of extraordinary challenges.
In addition to his perseverance, the dedication of his dear wife as his sole caregiver cannot be underestimated. Her steady devotion to advocating and serving her husband was a privilege to observe.
He will now be free of the imposing restrictions that ALS caused. His spirit is free to experience the new adventure we will all join when we leave our earthly existence.
“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8