The Foundation has enriched the lives of many. Here are some of their own words:
Marc Brey - Age 30
Dear Bill,
Since receiving my computer and the Dragon Naturally Speaking program, I have spent many hours staying in touch with the world. I have used it for everything from researching spinal cord injuries, to keeping in touch with my friends and family, to following my favorite sports teams and players. My sister and I run an office here in Omaha and the computer has also enabled me to do some work from home.
Having a C. 5 6 injury, I have a very tiring rehab regimen so having the computer at home has been invaluable to me. Your foundation has enabled me to restore some normalcy and productivity to my everyday life by providing me with this wonderful tool. I plan on being able to go back to work, taking online classes, and fully participating in raising my beautiful daughter.
Thank you very much for this opportunity,
Marc Brey and family
Tyler David Harris C4/5 Quadriplegic - Age 10
"Thank you so much for your kindness. Tyler is ten years old and was hurt riding an ATV. It's hard to say what long-term goals he has at this point. Tyler wants to get a job already and I'm at a loss there.
The computer will help Tyler do his own school work without me and help him in the future to learn the skills he will need to get a job. Tyler loves life and is always happy. He's my hero."
Tammy Harris (Tyler's Mom)
John H. Wancevich - Age 53
To Whom It Concern, I am a 53-year old quadraplegic with a C-4/C-5 spinal cord injury and confined to a wheelchair. I've been in this condition for about 20 1/2 years.
My short-term goals for using a computer are first to get used to its operation and to see what I can do with it and second to see where it will take me in the future. I am still in these two phases of my short-time goals, but I can see the possibilties of using this technology for personal, educational, and professional long-term goals and these deal with the issues of the quality of life.
Personally, the computer is a means of being in contact with family, friends, and colleagues, and a variety of organizations and other entities. Since the life of a disabled individual is severely limited by the nature of one's situation, the computer is a unique, convenient, and handy way of dealing with life's limiations and life's possibilities. So, the computer deals directly with the quality and substance of life. For me, it has opened a whole new world.
Educationally, an individual can check out educational institutions, courses of study, communicate with the necessary personnel, make decisions, and make choices for a relevant career path leading to a job or a whole new career. The possibilities of doing this on-line are enormous. I am seriously considering pursuing some type of certificate program or maybe even a master's degree.
Professionally, by taking courses on-line that lead to a certificate or degree, I may be able to have a whole new career that will both enhance my life and, in the process, enable me to help others with my added, newfound expertise.
Sincerely yours,
John H. Wancevich
Davey Bogar C6 Quadriplegic - Age 38 Years Injured: 34
"My injuries occured at the ripe old age of four. My short term goals are to master the new voice recognition software to make communicating quicker and less strenuous. My long term goals are to discover what I'm capable of, and what can be made of those capabilities."
