I have been blessed to be provided the industry standard in eyegaze technology. A self contained touch screen PC with infrared cameras, wifi, bluetooth, web camera and cell phone. Bundled with communication and environmental control software, it is a powerful tool that I rely on day and night to be my voice in the real and virtual world.
This is provided to me at no cost by the VA because ALS qualifies me to be 100% service connected. The cost however to the VA (and American taxpayer) is $15, 000. This puts the device out of reach for most of the people who would benefit the most from this essential gear.
It is also unfortunate that the hardware itself is generations old, quite under powered and the software is buggy and incomplete.
I spent the last 8 years of my 3 decade career on software quality assurance and process improvement. It is obvious to me that resources and a commitment to usability have diminished over time for this device.
It is primarily for these two reasons (cost and usability) that I have chosen as my final career project to use my experience, skills, time and resources to make gaze technology as good as it can be and as affordable as possible.
Fortunately I will be standing on the shoulders of modern operating systems and platforms, the DIY communities like Gazegroup.org, open source projects from groups like Cambridge University Inference Group and websites like bltt.org
I am also blessed to have an amazing community of family and friends to support me in this en devour. The http://1blinkequalsyes.com Kickstarter is our first step in realizing this vision. In the first 5 days we exceeded our first funding milestone and are now stretching for enough funding to pull together a first iteration of a complete system.
My deepest gratitude to Harley, Pete, Hamil and the campaign backers for executing and funding this critical first step.
Please pass along this post and/or the Kickstarter site to anyone that might be interested in supporting this en devour.
Thank you.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Today is the 2 year anniversary of my ALS diagnosis. A significant milestone, especially given the specific manifestation - bulbar. For non bulbar ALS the average survival time is 3 to 5 years from diagnosis. Bulbar survival average is 18 to 36 months.
Rapid weight loss due to the inability to swallow and aspirational pnemonia are two leading causes. The g-tube I received in spring 2011 was a proactive step in controlling weight loss. It took about six months to learn how to get the proper nutrition and calories without all the toxic chemicals that come with the canned food available for tube feeding. The answer eventually became a paleo diet supplemented by homemade stock and blended with a Vitamix.
Of course, the recent tracheostomy was another step on the path to longevity.
But here are some highlights of the last 24 months:
Retired in October 2010, made possible mostly thanks to the disability insurance provided by my work place. Thank you Mike, Laurance, Jeff and Jason; owners responsible enough to carry this lifeline benefit.
The same month the VA awarded me service connected status giving me access to benefits including medical, financial, material and family support. This was made possible thanks to a law passed in 2008, requiring the DOD to cover ALS for service members due to the high rate of incidents among Veterans.
I spent the next few months finalizing treatment options and settled on TCM treatment in China (follow the links to January through March 2011). It was a valuable and amazing time, and I believe it helped to slow and in some cases reverse the progression. Unfortunately it would have taken closer to a year of that level of intense treatment. I still use a modified version of the herb formula they developed for me.
It was while in China that I completed my Reiki training and became a master practitioner. Something I continue to use in my daily practice.
I also adopted a glutten free diet around this time based on research that links ALS to high glutamate levels in the cerebral spinal fluid.
We purchased an RV that Margit was comfortable driving and made our 7th and last trip out to burningman that summer. It was challenging, but worth the efforts to spend time with the Hippocampus community that has become such an important part of our family.
By summer's end I had lost most of the use of my right hand, but was still able to DJ our Hippo founder's beautiful commitment ceremony.
I was also able to attend two sacred singing, prayer and meditation ceremonies. These experiences and the communities that support them have brought me closer to God than any at any other time in my life.
In the fall I started working with the Tobii
eyegaze computer and power wheelchair as typing and walking became more challenging. We also started looking for our next home as living in a multi level house became impractical.
I started the Oral Sodium Chlorte trial around this time; initially with promising results, but unfortunately short lived.
We made plans to relocate to Florida for the winter to spend concentrated time with my family. Sadly we lost our two bassets ellie & olive within three weeks of each other. They had been part of the family for 12 years.
In mid December with the help of an army of friends and family we packed up the Lincoln house and picked up our VA provided wheelchair accessible van, hooked it up to the RV and headed south.
Our time in Florida was wonderful. We stayed in a lovely home on the water with lots of visits from family and friends from Seattle, Vermont, Minneapolis, Denver, Santa Fe, Brooklyn, and Graz, Austria.
We journied back north in April with help from dear friend and fellow Hippo, Kevin. We landed at an RV park only blocks from the Lincoln house.
Despite spending close to 9 months looking for a single level adaptable house (a rare thing in Minneapolis proper), we had not been able to find a match. But we knew we wanted to be near or on some water after our stay in Florida.
After a few weeks in the RV park we found a downtown apartment that was both wheelchair accessible and basset friendly. As I recently blogged, this is where I had to get the trach.
So now we have found our house and are in the process of adapting it for our needs.
It has been an adventurous two years with a heavy concentration on establishing best practices for maximum longevity, spending time with family and friends, and persevering through the transitions with as much gratitude and love as possible. This has been made possible by our amazing families and communities.
Thank you.
Rapid weight loss due to the inability to swallow and aspirational pnemonia are two leading causes. The g-tube I received in spring 2011 was a proactive step in controlling weight loss. It took about six months to learn how to get the proper nutrition and calories without all the toxic chemicals that come with the canned food available for tube feeding. The answer eventually became a paleo diet supplemented by homemade stock and blended with a Vitamix.
Of course, the recent tracheostomy was another step on the path to longevity.
But here are some highlights of the last 24 months:
Retired in October 2010, made possible mostly thanks to the disability insurance provided by my work place. Thank you Mike, Laurance, Jeff and Jason; owners responsible enough to carry this lifeline benefit.
The same month the VA awarded me service connected status giving me access to benefits including medical, financial, material and family support. This was made possible thanks to a law passed in 2008, requiring the DOD to cover ALS for service members due to the high rate of incidents among Veterans.
I spent the next few months finalizing treatment options and settled on TCM treatment in China (follow the links to January through March 2011). It was a valuable and amazing time, and I believe it helped to slow and in some cases reverse the progression. Unfortunately it would have taken closer to a year of that level of intense treatment. I still use a modified version of the herb formula they developed for me.
It was while in China that I completed my Reiki training and became a master practitioner. Something I continue to use in my daily practice.
I also adopted a glutten free diet around this time based on research that links ALS to high glutamate levels in the cerebral spinal fluid.
We purchased an RV that Margit was comfortable driving and made our 7th and last trip out to burningman that summer. It was challenging, but worth the efforts to spend time with the Hippocampus community that has become such an important part of our family.
By summer's end I had lost most of the use of my right hand, but was still able to DJ our Hippo founder's beautiful commitment ceremony.
I was also able to attend two sacred singing, prayer and meditation ceremonies. These experiences and the communities that support them have brought me closer to God than any at any other time in my life.
In the fall I started working with the Tobii
eyegaze computer and power wheelchair as typing and walking became more challenging. We also started looking for our next home as living in a multi level house became impractical.
I started the Oral Sodium Chlorte trial around this time; initially with promising results, but unfortunately short lived.
We made plans to relocate to Florida for the winter to spend concentrated time with my family. Sadly we lost our two bassets ellie & olive within three weeks of each other. They had been part of the family for 12 years.
In mid December with the help of an army of friends and family we packed up the Lincoln house and picked up our VA provided wheelchair accessible van, hooked it up to the RV and headed south.
Our time in Florida was wonderful. We stayed in a lovely home on the water with lots of visits from family and friends from Seattle, Vermont, Minneapolis, Denver, Santa Fe, Brooklyn, and Graz, Austria.
We journied back north in April with help from dear friend and fellow Hippo, Kevin. We landed at an RV park only blocks from the Lincoln house.
Despite spending close to 9 months looking for a single level adaptable house (a rare thing in Minneapolis proper), we had not been able to find a match. But we knew we wanted to be near or on some water after our stay in Florida.
After a few weeks in the RV park we found a downtown apartment that was both wheelchair accessible and basset friendly. As I recently blogged, this is where I had to get the trach.
So now we have found our house and are in the process of adapting it for our needs.
It has been an adventurous two years with a heavy concentration on establishing best practices for maximum longevity, spending time with family and friends, and persevering through the transitions with as much gratitude and love as possible. This has been made possible by our amazing families and communities.
Thank you.
Monday, September 10, 2012
The trach has brought many changes, some expected, many not. The medical advice given was that since it was inevitably going to happen, do it sooner rather than later. This is sensible counsel, as having to do it in an emergency situation can have bad long term consequences.
But, wow. What a giant shift for me, my family and community.
First and foremost, as I mentioned in my last post is communication. There are hi-tech (hi-cost) solutions and lo-tech hacks, but there are many times when there's only blinks and nods (and flailing legs in desperation). Standing is particularly challenging as my neck muscles have weakened to the point where I can't hold my head up without great difficulty. So eyegaze, toe boards and blinking are not useful for trying to convey anything. This requires a high degree of coordination between carer (a new word in my lexicon) and myself.
Standing and walking has become quite difficult as well. After 3 weeks of lying in bed at the hospital, my already weak legs have become virtually useless. I have to stand at least once a day just to stretch my calves. This is usually facilitated by the need for bowel activity, a major highlight of the day.
I have a hi-tech bed that adjusts head, legs and height - topped with an air matress that has individual tubes that are inflated and deflated by a controller that can gently rock me back and forth to help minimize pressure sores. Since most of my day is spent in bed, this is another piece of essential gear. We have added two inch memory foam pad and have built custom arm pads out of carefully sized (read trial and error) and sewn together memory foam. These armrests come complete with holes cut in allowing my elbows to float.
Getting out of bed requires the help of one muscular person. It's a move of lifting my upper body and head and spinning me so that I'm on the edge of the bed. Next I stand and stretch for a minute then perform a move known as stand and pivot. Whatever I'm transferring to is positioned so that I can turn slightly and sit. While this sounds like a major production, it pales in comparison to the alternative, the "hoyer".
Google it...
But, wow. What a giant shift for me, my family and community.
First and foremost, as I mentioned in my last post is communication. There are hi-tech (hi-cost) solutions and lo-tech hacks, but there are many times when there's only blinks and nods (and flailing legs in desperation). Standing is particularly challenging as my neck muscles have weakened to the point where I can't hold my head up without great difficulty. So eyegaze, toe boards and blinking are not useful for trying to convey anything. This requires a high degree of coordination between carer (a new word in my lexicon) and myself.
Standing and walking has become quite difficult as well. After 3 weeks of lying in bed at the hospital, my already weak legs have become virtually useless. I have to stand at least once a day just to stretch my calves. This is usually facilitated by the need for bowel activity, a major highlight of the day.
I have a hi-tech bed that adjusts head, legs and height - topped with an air matress that has individual tubes that are inflated and deflated by a controller that can gently rock me back and forth to help minimize pressure sores. Since most of my day is spent in bed, this is another piece of essential gear. We have added two inch memory foam pad and have built custom arm pads out of carefully sized (read trial and error) and sewn together memory foam. These armrests come complete with holes cut in allowing my elbows to float.
Getting out of bed requires the help of one muscular person. It's a move of lifting my upper body and head and spinning me so that I'm on the edge of the bed. Next I stand and stretch for a minute then perform a move known as stand and pivot. Whatever I'm transferring to is positioned so that I can turn slightly and sit. While this sounds like a major production, it pales in comparison to the alternative, the "hoyer".
Google it...
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
A tracheostomy is a procedure where the surgeon makes a small incision in the neck into the trachea (windpipe). Then a small tube is inserted into the stoma (hole). The tube, refereed to as the trach, has a small balloon that is inflated to block the airway. This stops saliva and food from getting into the lungs and helps to hold the trach in place. (There is also a strap that goes around the neck to help secure it.)
The balloon is called a cuff. For most, the cuff can be partially deflated which allows for enough air to pass the vocal cords to let the user speak. Because of my weakened throat muscles I have to keep mine full.
This immediately changed my ability to communicate. While I had been using my eyegaze computer for going online, now it is the main way I communicate. This works when I am lying in bed and nothing is being done to me. Unfortunately having the trach means I must be suctioned, both mouth and lungs (via the trach). This happens several times day and night, and the computer gets in the way.
So my backup lo-tech solution is a clipboard with a sheet that has the alphabet printed out in frequency of use order. I use my toe to point to letters and spell out words., obviously limiting and often a challenge for the reader if words are long. This is why it was important for me to have an advocate with me throughout my 3 week recovery stay at the VA. This was fulfilled by an army of friends and family, for which I am incredibly blessed and eternally grateful. During my entire stay there was someone at my side, helping me to communicate with the nurses. The staff at the VA were amazed at how many people came to help.
The balloon is called a cuff. For most, the cuff can be partially deflated which allows for enough air to pass the vocal cords to let the user speak. Because of my weakened throat muscles I have to keep mine full.
This immediately changed my ability to communicate. While I had been using my eyegaze computer for going online, now it is the main way I communicate. This works when I am lying in bed and nothing is being done to me. Unfortunately having the trach means I must be suctioned, both mouth and lungs (via the trach). This happens several times day and night, and the computer gets in the way.
So my backup lo-tech solution is a clipboard with a sheet that has the alphabet printed out in frequency of use order. I use my toe to point to letters and spell out words., obviously limiting and often a challenge for the reader if words are long. This is why it was important for me to have an advocate with me throughout my 3 week recovery stay at the VA. This was fulfilled by an army of friends and family, for which I am incredibly blessed and eternally grateful. During my entire stay there was someone at my side, helping me to communicate with the nurses. The staff at the VA were amazed at how many people came to help.
Thursday, August 02, 2012
A little catch up is in order, I'll try and fill in some blanks left since leaving Florida.
We had a good trip back, except for the unplanned day spent at the St. Louis VA getting my feeding tube replaced. What a difference there is between the various VA hospitals! I feel blessed to have the Minneapolis VA and the great crew at the SCI/D (spinal cord injury/disability) clinic to work with.
As Grace's earlier post indicated, we spent a few weeks in an RV park when we arrived in Minneapolis, it was only blocks from our old house which felt homey and allowed Grace to immediately get back into school and connect with her friends.
It was also where I started having difficulty sleeping because of choking on saliva as my throat muscles weakened.
We found an apartment, albiet a bit expensive, but the location is convenient and comfortable. It was a little more than a week before we had to call the ambulance to get me to the VA after several nights of trying to find a position to sleep in, without gagging.
The night we gave in was the third of no sleep. I was accompanied by good friend Ephram, who stayed with me in the ER through the morning, keeping me awake. Then Keya took over for several more hours while we waited to get in for the tracheostomy procedure.
Fortunately Keya had recently returned from a vision quest, so had some amazing things to share.
Next post I'll pick up with the trach...
We had a good trip back, except for the unplanned day spent at the St. Louis VA getting my feeding tube replaced. What a difference there is between the various VA hospitals! I feel blessed to have the Minneapolis VA and the great crew at the SCI/D (spinal cord injury/disability) clinic to work with.
As Grace's earlier post indicated, we spent a few weeks in an RV park when we arrived in Minneapolis, it was only blocks from our old house which felt homey and allowed Grace to immediately get back into school and connect with her friends.
It was also where I started having difficulty sleeping because of choking on saliva as my throat muscles weakened.
We found an apartment, albiet a bit expensive, but the location is convenient and comfortable. It was a little more than a week before we had to call the ambulance to get me to the VA after several nights of trying to find a position to sleep in, without gagging.
The night we gave in was the third of no sleep. I was accompanied by good friend Ephram, who stayed with me in the ER through the morning, keeping me awake. Then Keya took over for several more hours while we waited to get in for the tracheostomy procedure.
Fortunately Keya had recently returned from a vision quest, so had some amazing things to share.
Next post I'll pick up with the trach...
Monday, July 09, 2012
An update: ghost-written version
It's been nearly 3 weeks since being discharged from the VA hospital following trachestomy surgery and we're settling into temporary apartment-living in downtown Minneapolis.
Being in more of a "home" environ has been good for spirits for the entire family be they human or canine. Looking forward to the Mississippi River view from the new house in FrIdley; potentially as soon as next month as renovation work will soon begin.
The surgery while ending verbal communication has aided the ability to sleep without choking which is a great improvement for both health and spirits.
Meanwhile, we are working on improvements to the eye gaze software, trying to make it far more user-friendly. This would mean David will be able to "write" his own blog posts, texts and emails. A Kickstarter campaign will follow; there will be more to come on this subject...
David demanded that I mention my book, "A Rose by Any Other Name" but I'm not going to do it...
Thanks,
Brian
ps -he also insists that i mention the book is available through amazon and kindle...
Being in more of a "home" environ has been good for spirits for the entire family be they human or canine. Looking forward to the Mississippi River view from the new house in FrIdley; potentially as soon as next month as renovation work will soon begin.
The surgery while ending verbal communication has aided the ability to sleep without choking which is a great improvement for both health and spirits.
Meanwhile, we are working on improvements to the eye gaze software, trying to make it far more user-friendly. This would mean David will be able to "write" his own blog posts, texts and emails. A Kickstarter campaign will follow; there will be more to come on this subject...
David demanded that I mention my book, "A Rose by Any Other Name" but I'm not going to do it...
Thanks,
Brian
ps -he also insists that i mention the book is available through amazon and kindle...
Thursday, May 17, 2012
We are in our new apartment
We found a place in downtown Minneapolis right off Loring Park. It's a nice place for us for the next three months.
We are now fully engaged in our house search. Similar needs as the apartment, let us know if you have any leads.
Our new address is 1300 Yale Place, apt. 232, Minneapolis 55403.
Thank you Maiya for helping with this entry.
We are now fully engaged in our house search. Similar needs as the apartment, let us know if you have any leads.
Our new address is 1300 Yale Place, apt. 232, Minneapolis 55403.
Thank you Maiya for helping with this entry.
Monday, May 07, 2012
Updated housing info
This is what we're looking for in a temp home:
- Avbl immediately with month-to-month or 3 mo lease
- 3 bedroom, with at least the master BR on main floor
- master bathroom with either:
3-foot clearance around tub (1side), or
Roll-in shower
- allows dogs
- hardwood floors or clean carpet with low pile
- access to yard
- off-street parking
- handicap accessible -- front door must be less than 3' off ground (to allow for ramp) and doorway be at least 3' wide
- preferably NE or S or U area (close to Marcy Elem)
That's all we can think of at the moment... Let us know if u have specific questions that will help the search.
- Avbl immediately with month-to-month or 3 mo lease
- 3 bedroom, with at least the master BR on main floor
- master bathroom with either:
3-foot clearance around tub (1side), or
Roll-in shower
- allows dogs
- hardwood floors or clean carpet with low pile
- access to yard
- off-street parking
- handicap accessible -- front door must be less than 3' off ground (to allow for ramp) and doorway be at least 3' wide
- preferably NE or S or U area (close to Marcy Elem)
That's all we can think of at the moment... Let us know if u have specific questions that will help the search.
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Surprise from Grace
Surprise!!!
We are back and in minneapolis and staying at lowery grove RV park in st. Anthony.
We are all doing well. But on our first day here I got sick with a cold and now I am recovering and I have started going back to school. My mom and dad are still looking for a house but I like staying here
We are back and in minneapolis and staying at lowery grove RV park in st. Anthony.
We are all doing well. But on our first day here I got sick with a cold and now I am recovering and I have started going back to school. My mom and dad are still looking for a house but I like staying here
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Travel update from Grace
Our adventure has so far been great. And Kevin has been a great help.(mainly with the dishes and RV hookups.) I gave him the name Banana Man because I couldn't remember the name Cabana boy.(So I called him the word that was the most similar.)
Driving has been smooth and by the end of the first day we made it into Georgia. My mom and Kevin are sad that it is not peach season.....
All is well and soon we will be back up in minneapolis.(and I'm preparing for the hot wether.)
Driving has been smooth and by the end of the first day we made it into Georgia. My mom and Kevin are sad that it is not peach season.....
All is well and soon we will be back up in minneapolis.(and I'm preparing for the hot wether.)
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Housing needed
We are looking for a short-term (3-6 mos) rental of a wheelchair accessible home (house, apartment, condo) 2-3 bedroom, 2 bath, pet friendly. Ideally close to downtown Minneapolis.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Transitioning again...
Beginning the preparations of returning to Minneapolis. It's hard to believe we've been here almost four months already!
Our plans are to leave this lovely winter retreat home around April 15, spend a few days in Orlando and Ocala with my family then begin the trek up north. We will be joined by our good friend and fellow Hippo, Kevin Wanamaker. He has agreed to provide logistical support and comic relief ;)
Once landed we will finalize our process of buying a new home. We've been engaged in the search for months, viewing homes online and working with our patient and helpful realtor, Ephraim Eusebio of Bjorklund Realty.
We will most likely be in a temporary housing situation for 1 to 3 months, which could include some time in an extended stay hotel unless we are able to find an accessible short term rental. If you know of an opportunity for such a place please let us know!
Our plans are to leave this lovely winter retreat home around April 15, spend a few days in Orlando and Ocala with my family then begin the trek up north. We will be joined by our good friend and fellow Hippo, Kevin Wanamaker. He has agreed to provide logistical support and comic relief ;)
Once landed we will finalize our process of buying a new home. We've been engaged in the search for months, viewing homes online and working with our patient and helpful realtor, Ephraim Eusebio of Bjorklund Realty.
We will most likely be in a temporary housing situation for 1 to 3 months, which could include some time in an extended stay hotel unless we are able to find an accessible short term rental. If you know of an opportunity for such a place please let us know!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Long overdue update
First I must apologize for the lack of updates over the last two months. It has become very difficult to type more than a few words at a time as both my left hand and neck have weakened further. I am composing this post using my Tobii Eyegaze machine. It is slow going, mostly because my eyeglasses seem to interfere with the tracking cameras. As a result I'm spending more time on Twitter (@davidtanderson) than email/FaceBook/blog -- most bang for the effort. I'm looking into Lasik surgery to rid me of the need for glasses at all. (I wish I would have done so earlier, as lying on a flat table for the procedure may prove difficult.)
My diaphragm has also become weaker so I'm not getting the O2/CO2 exchange my body needs, esp at night. This often results in headaches that can last all day. Using the BiPap at night would help -- but I can't wear it for more than 5 min without feeling like I'm suffocating. I am now working with a Respiratory Therapist who is helping me with a Trilogy machine and different masks. There's quite a difference between sleep apnea and a weak diaphragm and the BiPap and mask provided by the VA are designed for the former. Fortunately Medicare is covering the Trilogy.
Finally on the physical front, my walking is only done in short distances -- and always with the walker.
The weather here has continued to be lovely. We've enjoyed visits from friends and family and have even started to connect with old high school friends. We spend lots of time laughing and enjoying the connections.
We've settled into a good routine, which includes several hours of homeschooling each weekday. We are using Khan Academy and other online resources as well as a number of study books provided by Grace's Aunt Karri. We have a cleaning crew come once a week (courtesy of our awesome, sexy and helpful Hippo/Burningman community in Seattle) as well as weekly visits by Physical and Respiratory Therapists.
We are grateful for all of the sweet emails, cards and care packages, we feel very loved and supported. Spirits are good as we continue to adjust to changes and count our many blessings.
Much more to say but I've been at it for over an hour and want to get this posted.
My diaphragm has also become weaker so I'm not getting the O2/CO2 exchange my body needs, esp at night. This often results in headaches that can last all day. Using the BiPap at night would help -- but I can't wear it for more than 5 min without feeling like I'm suffocating. I am now working with a Respiratory Therapist who is helping me with a Trilogy machine and different masks. There's quite a difference between sleep apnea and a weak diaphragm and the BiPap and mask provided by the VA are designed for the former. Fortunately Medicare is covering the Trilogy.
Finally on the physical front, my walking is only done in short distances -- and always with the walker.
The weather here has continued to be lovely. We've enjoyed visits from friends and family and have even started to connect with old high school friends. We spend lots of time laughing and enjoying the connections.
We've settled into a good routine, which includes several hours of homeschooling each weekday. We are using Khan Academy and other online resources as well as a number of study books provided by Grace's Aunt Karri. We have a cleaning crew come once a week (courtesy of our awesome, sexy and helpful Hippo/Burningman community in Seattle) as well as weekly visits by Physical and Respiratory Therapists.
We are grateful for all of the sweet emails, cards and care packages, we feel very loved and supported. Spirits are good as we continue to adjust to changes and count our many blessings.
Much more to say but I've been at it for over an hour and want to get this posted.
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