When Nathan Schulte says he is "smart, funny and caring," you can bet that it's more than just talk. Reaching out to the world is important to him. And with his DynaVox DV4, it is a carefree process.
With this powerful communication solution, Nathan feels at home in virtually any social situation.
"The DynaVox DV4 has opened a lot of doors for me. I would not be the same person without it."
Nathan prefers the compact DV4 to his previous communication system, which consisted of a talking word processor with a hardware interface connecting to a laptop computer. Before that, he typed messages into a desktop computer using a knee switch.
Heading into his junior year at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, where he is majoring in sociology, Nathan uses the DV4 during class discussions, at church services where he often delivers the readings and even while lamenting the struggles of the football team among friends.
A diligent student, Nathan teaches others by his example. He hopes that his efforts will help to raise awareness of the contributions that those who use AAC can make to society. Yet he doesn't take life too seriously. Nathan loves Lincoln's collegiate atmosphere, and frequently takes walks around town in his wheelchair, dines out or watches sporting events with friends. A faithful e-mail correspondent, he is rarely at a loss for news to share with his family and friends in Omaha.
Nathan looks forward to graduating from college, when he will seek a job in marketing for a non-profit organization. His dream is to make presentations on integrating people with disabilities into the workforce to businesses around the country. In the meantime, he will focus on expanding his public speaking opportunities, an interest that took hold when he gave lectures on augmentative and alternative communication to graduate students at the university.
Born with cerebral palsy, Nathan credits his success to those close to him. "My family has pushed me to do my best," he says. "Friends have treated me with respect and supported me through school." Nathan has two sisters - Kim, 25, and Sarah, 20. His two best friends, Chrissy and Annette, are like his second family, helping him with errands while away at school. He also values the moral support he receives from Jeff, Beth and Susan, his friends at the Lutheran Student Center.
Nathan is not a quitter. When faced with a difficult task, he adjusts it to his abilities instead of giving up. He has a reassuring message for young people with challenges like his own. "Don't worry about what others think. There will be people who don't like you. Stay strong, and stay close to your family and friends."
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