Previously John used the original DynaVox.
Parents Gay and Jack, grandparents Jean and John Patsch, and older sister Vicki.
As a child, it was difficult for John to communicate due to the effects of cerebral palsy. The condition left him with unintelligible natural speech and limited use of his hands. But when John got his first DynaVox in 1990, he no longer worried that others would not understand him. His recent switch to the DynaVox DV4 was smooth and sound. Fluent in using language as well as the technology, John frequently turns to the word-based Gateway Pro page set on the DV4 to create novel messages quickly and easily. John especially likes using the DV4 to talk with his grandparents and co-workers, and to order meals at restaurants.
John has been a clerical employee Intermediate Unit #1 in Coal Center for four years delivering mail and shredding confidential documents at the support center for local school districts. But what he finds most fulfilling about the job is the workplace camaraderie. One co-worker painted an orange “01” on the cart he drives while making his mail rounds. The question is whether the number stands for the name of his employer or the number on the General Lee, the car driven by the Dukes of Hazard, John’s favorite TV show and movie. It could, of course, mean that people who know John well consider him Number One in their book.
At work, the DV4’s Reminders Editor helps keep John on schedule. Audio cues alert John that it is time for routine tasks such as cleaning the shredding area or returning his cart before he leaves for the day. For fun, John programs sound effects (mostly vehicle noises) on the device that color his social conversations.
Trips to Texas, complete with behind-the-scenes tours of the Houston Zoo, where his sister is a zookeeper. An avid fan of classic cars, John also catches a car cruise close to home just about once a week during the summer. He enjoys horseback riding and country music.
“I want to drive a pick-up truck, get married and have a family, to live in my own house and vacation by the ocean.”
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