Technology that really helps
Mobile phones - voice commands
It’s been ten years since I got my ABI and technology has improved a lot in that time. I have always managed to use an iPhone which was revolutionary after I realised I couldn’t type messages. What I could do was speak into it using Siri (or any voice activation system on a mobile) and it would type up my messages. I use this 100% of the time now. Sometimes I make typos which can be quite embarrassing if sending it to your boss! Thankfully all my friends and work colleagues realise that I struggle with typing and it can be quite hilarious sometimes. There have been some classic ones in the past (use your imagination).
What is also good is listening back to WhatsApp or text messages on audio, rather than reading them. I can then record a voice reply and listen back before I send it, which helps to avoid mistakes and is much easier to use. On the downside, it’s annoying that everything is online these days because I can’t surf the web and action things like research, appointments or buy things from Amazon or other stores. I always have to ask my mum or my support worker Denise to action these things. Phones or iPads/tablets seem to work much better for surfing the web, my computer audio doesn’t work for this.
Thankfully I can call my doctors who are always very helpful as I can’t navigate their online system. Using Access To Work I can also call our local taxi company which is on account so it is just a matter of calling and giving in my address, so I don’t have to grapple with cash or card payments. I like walking but as I cannot now drive and if I get too tired, I can get an account cab home from work.
Artificial Intelligence
I use Microsoft’s Seeing AI which is voice activated. This is an App that reads documents for me. I can command it to take a photo of the document and then it uploads and reads the text back for me. As it reads the text back in the phone, so that I can also follow the highlighted words on the screen as it moves along. This is particularly good for things like cooking instructions. It is probably the most effective app for reading, that I have. For my listening pleasure I use audio books and I love listening to podcasts too.
Alexa home device
My boyfriend bought me an Alexa for my birthday a couple of years ago, which is amazing. You can programme your favourite radio stations in, set timers for cooking i.e. boiling eggs is a good one. I also use it for reminders, which I set up for example when putting the bins out on the right day and it really has been very helpful. It can be integrated into your speakers for music and stores loads of tracks on it, so I can listen to it as I go about my daily life. It’s a great invention!
Computers
I have been lucky to be able to use a Headway work laptop. Through Access to Work we bought Dragon Software, which came with headphones, mic and a special yellow keyboard, which helps. However, it’s not been the easiest problem to solve as there are multiple issues with my ABI. I cannot read back the incorrect text when it alerts me, due to my alexia, despite having the type enlarged and a blue screen background. Due to this my support worker usually types everything for me. I was able to source her through Norwich County Council’s PA database, which is a free interface between private clients and their support workers. Headway were able to arrange her paid support through Access to Work.
Online ordering for birthday cards
I like to send Moonpig cards to friends and family but there are lots of other companies available. I have set this up on my phone and you can put credit on it so that you don’t need to pay each time, which is fiddly for me. These greetings cards can be personalised and you can add photos and have the printed copy sent to you for signature. If the person’s address is saved in the system it’s easy to add this and even gifts can be added to the order and sent directly. It’s amazing what technology can do these days. It helps me to be able to live a life as normal as possible. In theory I should set up lots of other things like this to assist me, but the problem is the setting up in the first place, which is the first hurdle. That’s what friends and family are for.
ACAST Volunteering and podcasts
One of my London friends ran a podcast company called Acast. Initially when I first came out of hospital ten years ago, he and his wife suggested I could visit their offices in Old Street and do some research about podcasts. For the first six months I met them one morning a week. The journey was an hour on the bus and it’s a very busy part of the City, but I did it. It meant I had a chance to be in an office again and I took my own laptop along to use, which had Dragon software on it. Acast then proposed I launch my own podcast, which I decided to do. This was to be with celebrities who had been through life-changing situations. Using my old TV Producer contacts, it took me about over a year to produce the whole series which I named “The Longest Battle” – the interviewees all came to Old Street studios and I was recording right up to the lockdown. My last podcast was with Heather Mills, Paul McCartney’s ex-wife.
The podcast highlights were my interview with Trisha Goddard who I used to work with on the Trisha Show, it was a great interview.
Another good one was Mad Dog McGuiness, from The Poges. He had a brain injury around the same time as me and we had a lot in common. Luckily, we have been able to stay friends which is lovely. Another interesting one was the rugby star, Alex Corbisiero, who played for The Lions. It really made me feel I could still do something creative in that field and build my confidence. I even interviewed an amazing Bond Girl, Maryam D’Abo!
I just want to thank my friends Joe and Katie Copeman who have really helped me throughout my recovery, by offering me this opportunity. If you would like to listen to my series, here is the link: https://shows.acast.com/thelongestbattle
I also have a short video on YouTube channel about my journey for The Longest Battle:
Here is the link: The Longest Battle - my story (youtube.com)
The VIP Pods with RNIB (The Royal National Society of the Blind)
I was volunteering at the RNIB and used to enjoy hearing the clients’ success stories. This then led to the idea of the VIP Pod, which mum and I started recording from our living room during the lockdown. This was with people living with sight loss, but it didn’t hold them back. There are many amazing stories, but a couple were memorable including as The Woodturner. He has his own workshop but also attends events and tours, talking about his profession. Another is a world traveller, Tony Giles and has written several books about his adventures in over 130 countries. Then there was the amazing Jesse Dufton who is a blind rock climber. He was the first blind person to climb the Old Man of Hoy, which is the focus of Alastair Lee’s multi award winning documentary ‘Climbing Blind'. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcB39nBSv3Y
The oldest contributor, Bee Price, was 87 and had suffered with Charles Bonnet Syndrome. She was blind but ‘saw’ everything in image, which is typical of CBS.
As you can see, I interviewed a lot of diverse people, many of whom are very surprising in the way they have adapted and shone in their own right.
I produced the series with Warren Wilson and Mike Wordington, from the RNIB and if you would like to listen to these, here is the link: https://shows.acast.com/the-vip-pod/episodes/episode-1-adam-morse
I have definitely remained pretty busy and productive throughout my recovery over the last ten years. I find this has really helped me through. Onwards to the next ten!
The content on this platform is produced by Emma Martins, Lived Experience Communicator, in collaboration with her support worker. All views expressed herein are solely those of Emma Martins and her support worker, and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Headway Norfolk and Waveney.
It is essential to note that the content shared represents personal experiences and is not intended as professional advice. For medical guidance and assistance, especially if you require specific healthcare recommendations, it is strongly advised to consult with qualified medical professionals, including your general practitioner (GP). The information provided on this platform should not be considered a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Headway Norfolk and Waveney disclaims any liability arising from reliance on the information presented here for medical decision-making. Always consult with healthcare professionals for accurate and personalised guidance based on your individual circumstances.