The Measure of Success by Tasha Shoffner
How do we measure success? There are several attributes by which society measures success, such as, level of income, where one lives, or whether one is married with children. However, success is best measured by each person and his or her personal goals. For me, success is a work in progress.
My AAC story began in my junior year at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. I was pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in psychology. The upper-level courses required several oral presentations. Since I am unable to speak due to the effects of cerebral palsy, this was this was a major obstacle. On the advice of my professor, I changed my major. I selected Business as a major because I had already taken most of the required courses. The next semester was the longest of my college career. In addition, I concluded that my speech would be an issue in any profession I entered. However, I was still determined to graduate with a degree in social work. So I began looking for a solution to this problem.
With the help of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC), I received my first AAC device. It was a laptop with DynaVox speaking software installed on it. During my last semester, I received my second device, the DynaMyte 3100. Currently, I use the DynaWrite, a keyboard-based device from DynaVox.
The DynaWrite works well for me because even though I have cerebral palsy, I can type about 20 words a minute with one hand. Since my cerebral palsy is mild and mostly affects my speech, I do not use the DynaWrite’s integrated infrared environmental control unit or computer access capabilities. However, I can see how these features would be very helpful to others with physical challenges. The size of the screen is good.
This technology has presented numerous opportunities that I never imagined. I owe my professor a thank you. If she had not suggested a change in major, I would have not discovered the world of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology. Nor would I have graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in social work in 1999.
I was hired as a DynaVox Consumer Representative in 2002. Since then, I have presented at several national conferences, worked the company booth at trade shows, and coordinated trainings with my local sales representative, Lena Nel. While I have enjoyed all of my duties, I still wanted a full-time job. Therefore, after receiving my MBA in August of 2007, I went job hunting. A year later, I finally found what I was looking for. I was hired as an ASSET Navigator of AmeriCorps and placed at the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Houston. While this position only gives me a “living stipend” and lasts a year, I am confident it will lead to a better job.
So, is my story a “success story”? Absolutely! After all, how many people go from special education in elementary school to earning an MBA? My story is not complete; however, it is looking up.