I met this nice young man through a previous therapist.  His name is Kirk. Kirk has Cerebral Palsy also. Unlike myself he’s nonverbal. Kirk communicates through body language, alphabet boards, his computer and his augmentative communication device.  Kirk builds websites for businesses.  Kirk is very knowledgeable about computer technology. We dated for a few years. We’re friends now.

I enjoy working on my computer.  Windows XP® and Window Vista® offers Mouse Keys®, an On-Screen Keyboard®, and a Magnifier®. These programs are a great help to me.  Amazingly, I used a special keyboard called Intellikeys Classic® from 1993-2009.  I originally use it as a big quarry keyboard.   After I lost the ability to type with my fingers, my dad helped me figure out how to use the Intellikeys Classic Keyboad® as a mouse with my left foot.  In 2009 Voc Rehab made me a new device.  The engineer took a Roller Plus Joystick® and added keyboard buttons.  It’s amazing, and compact.   

Another form of technology that I use is EZ Keys®. EZ Keys® is a word prediction program that saves a lot of keystrokes. It is a very advanced communication program as well, which I may need now that I’m going out on my own.  EZ Keys® gives disabled people control.

I also use NaturalReader®. NaturalReader® is a screen reader.  It also allows you to save text as a MP3 file and import it into a document such as PowerPoint, or listen to it on any computer or MP3 Player. These programs combined allow me to have access to everything anyone else has access to on the computer. I enjoy creating greeting cards, business cards, and Picture DVD’s for myself, friends, and family.

I also enjoy looking at pictures of friends and family.  Swimming is also a favorite activity of mine. I like listening to country music. Alan Jackson is my all time favorite artist.  I went to an Alan Jackson concert in October of 2008.  Medical shows are intriguing to me.  My favorite pass time is visiting with friends.

Papall was one of the special people in my life. We did a lot together. Papall and I had a special bond. I named him, and created the spelling when I began learning to read. He was so proud of his name he used it as his password. Even when people were told the password they couldn’t figure out the spelling.

I attend Camp Burnt Gin every summer.  Camp Burnt Gin is a camp for physically and mentally disabled children.  Recently they added a young adult session for some young adults to attend and visit old friends.  Camp gives our parents a break, and allows us to have fun and to mature some.  I didn’t always enjoy camp, but I’m glad my parents introduced me to it.  

In order for me to travel and visit people I had to buy a handicapped accessible van. I use a Ricon Clearway Split Platform Lift.  I have four point Sure-Lok tie downs. All you do is push a button and the Sure-Lok tie down is tight.

My life may be different in many ways from able body people, but many aspects are the same.