Since there are no reliable speech recognition software for Korean language, typing Hangul is painfully slower than alphabet. The only option I have is to launch an use 'on-screen keyboard'. There are various on-screen keyboards in the market but the one that I like the most is "Clickey" which allows both alphabet and Hangul. With Clickey on the screen, I can use either Integramouse or HeadMouse Extreme to click letter by letter. I know it's painful but there is no graceful way as far as I can see. If there is somebody reading this blog who knows a better way, I really like to speak to that person.
I believe Clickey was made by Korean and I am very thankful to that person or organization. The web page where you can download the products for free is: http://jj21.org. In Windows XP, for instance, there is an on-screen keyboard but it does not seem to support Hangul. In Windows Vista,Hangul is supported but I like Clickey much better. There is some glitch when toggling between alphabet and Hangul but one can live with it. Again I would like to thank the makers of Clickey.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Mouse alternative devices: How I use the computer
I cannot move my hands at all and yet I can move mouse pointer on the computer screen. How do I do this? Well it is because I use special assistive devices. I was introduced to such devices when I was in Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center by people at CART, the same folks that taught me Dragon Naturallyspeaking speech recognition software. There are many options (assistive devices) but I found two systems that I liked in particular.
1. Integramouse
This device is placed close to one’s mouth using special arm-like mounting rod. Using lips one can move the tip of the Integramouse and this small motion translates into movement of mouse pointer on the screen. They say it takes less than 10 g of lip pressure to active the mouse. Integramouse plugs into the computer via USB connector, and the beauty of it is that most types of computers including Windows, Macs and workstations recognizes it as mouse device right away without any driver. It is basically a sip and puff system; in order to click the left button of the mouse, one has to sip, and to click the right button one needs to puff on it. Integramouse can be found on online Internet stores in U.S. But I think it was developed in Austria. The integramouse itself is about $2000. However, don’t forget to buy the mounting rod called “Universal Mounting System” which is an additional $200 or so. I bought mine at ‘Infogrip’ (http://www.infogrip.com). Then I bought the second one from ‘Tash’ (http://www.tash.com). The Integramouse has become the most widely used assistive devices for me and I cannot imagine doing my job without it. I strongly recommend to anyone who cannot use hands like me. I found that people that have small mobility with hands tend not to these devices.
2. HeadMouse Extreme
This is a device that I use when I work in bed. HeadMouse Extreme tracks the movement of your hand using a special reflective sticker placed on your forehead. It plugs into the computer via USB connector. The maker is Origin Instruments (http://orin.com) and is again available at various online Internet stores. I bought mine a little over $1000. One has to get the mounting bracket and reflective stickers called targets. Since HeadMouse only allows movement of mouse pointer (as opposed to clicking), one must get either Sip/Puff Switch or clicking software called Dragger from Origin Instruments. They are additional costs. I use the Dragger software which costs several tens of dollars with the HeadMouse. I’m also very satisfied with the HeadMouse as I can extend my working hours which I need because it is slower without hands.
1. Integramouse
This device is placed close to one’s mouth using special arm-like mounting rod. Using lips one can move the tip of the Integramouse and this small motion translates into movement of mouse pointer on the screen. They say it takes less than 10 g of lip pressure to active the mouse. Integramouse plugs into the computer via USB connector, and the beauty of it is that most types of computers including Windows, Macs and workstations recognizes it as mouse device right away without any driver. It is basically a sip and puff system; in order to click the left button of the mouse, one has to sip, and to click the right button one needs to puff on it. Integramouse can be found on online Internet stores in U.S. But I think it was developed in Austria. The integramouse itself is about $2000. However, don’t forget to buy the mounting rod called “Universal Mounting System” which is an additional $200 or so. I bought mine at ‘Infogrip’ (http://www.infogrip.com). Then I bought the second one from ‘Tash’ (http://www.tash.com). The Integramouse has become the most widely used assistive devices for me and I cannot imagine doing my job without it. I strongly recommend to anyone who cannot use hands like me. I found that people that have small mobility with hands tend not to these devices.
2. HeadMouse Extreme
This is a device that I use when I work in bed. HeadMouse Extreme tracks the movement of your hand using a special reflective sticker placed on your forehead. It plugs into the computer via USB connector. The maker is Origin Instruments (http://orin.com) and is again available at various online Internet stores. I bought mine a little over $1000. One has to get the mounting bracket and reflective stickers called targets. Since HeadMouse only allows movement of mouse pointer (as opposed to clicking), one must get either Sip/Puff Switch or clicking software called Dragger from Origin Instruments. They are additional costs. I use the Dragger software which costs several tens of dollars with the HeadMouse. I’m also very satisfied with the HeadMouse as I can extend my working hours which I need because it is slower without hands.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Hoyer patient lift
Thanks to Hoyer lift one skilled person can lift me from the wheelchair and transfer me to the bed and vice versa. 'Hoyer' is actually a brand name; I don't know what it is called (perhaps just patient lift) but they are plenty kinds of lift for patients and disabled persons in Internet shopping malls such as "Planet Mobility" (http://www.planetmobility.com/store/paitentlifts/index.html). I have two Hoyer lifts, one at home and the other at office. The one at home is made of steel and I paid a little over $2000 in U.S. The one at office is a much lighter portable one also from Hoyer company. It is called "Advanced Patient Lift" (http://www.planetmobility.com/store/paitentlifts/sunrise&quickie/1-advance/index.html). I really recommend this one because it can be folded, is cheaper and takes less space. In Planet Mobility Internet shopping mall, it is listed as less than $1000 including the sling which wraps you. I found that most Hoyer lifts work (can be battery charged) in both 110 and 220 voltages.
In Korea I found some patient lifts that look exactly like genuine Hoyer lifts selling at half price or less. It turns out that these ones are made in Taiwan. I used one at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital but could not recognize the difference. As far as I can see, they are as good as the origin ones.
In hospitals and at various places, I see people lifting and transporting the patients with hands in Korea. I don't think this is a good practice because the caregivers can hurt their backs. As for the long-term solution, we Koreans should get accustomed to using machines instead of muscles.
In Korea I found some patient lifts that look exactly like genuine Hoyer lifts selling at half price or less. It turns out that these ones are made in Taiwan. I used one at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital but could not recognize the difference. As far as I can see, they are as good as the origin ones.
In hospitals and at various places, I see people lifting and transporting the patients with hands in Korea. I don't think this is a good practice because the caregivers can hurt their backs. As for the long-term solution, we Koreans should get accustomed to using machines instead of muscles.
On speech recognition software
If you can speak English, the chances are you can manipulate computer using some assistive device and speech recognition software. In Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, they have a place called CART (Center for Applied Rehabilitation Technology; http://www.rancho.org/cart/) where they have all kinds of technology for disabled people, and this is where I first learned about assistive devices and experienced speech recognition software.
The first software I used is called “Dragon Naturallyspeaking” version 9 Preferred Edition developed by Nuance (http://www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking/). The software is so good and popular that it is even used by normal person with slow typing. The software is only $150 or so and installs on Windows XP right away. It takes more than 1 GB of space on hard drive and at least 1-2 GB of memory. I was really getting used to this program and was becoming a fan of it.
On January 2007, Microsoft introduced Windows Vista which was equipped with its own speech recognition software. It comes in 7 different languages including 1 Japanese and 2 Chinese but no Korean. Even so I find the speech recognition software of Windows Vista to be far superior to Dragon Naturallyspeaking. Windows Vista has clever features which are quite beneficial like ‘show numbers’ command which highlights all available buttons. Currently I am using Windows Vista Home Premium Edition (English version) on Dell laptop computer XPS M1710 with 2 GB of memory. One thing I like about my Dell computer is that it has 6 USB connections. For the most part, I only need Windows Vista but there are a few applications where Windows Vista speech recognition software does not work well and I have to rely on Dragon Naturallyspeaking version 9.5 (Windows Vista compatible version). So I have both installed on my laptop computer.
In the market I found Korean version of speech recognition software called “By Voice” which costs about 150,000 KRW. The latest version of the software is dated 2002, and I found the software to be not even worth trying. I don’t know whether it is the poor development or the difficulty of the language that is to blame but anyhow it is a bad news for Korean handicapped people.
The first software I used is called “Dragon Naturallyspeaking” version 9 Preferred Edition developed by Nuance (http://www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking/). The software is so good and popular that it is even used by normal person with slow typing. The software is only $150 or so and installs on Windows XP right away. It takes more than 1 GB of space on hard drive and at least 1-2 GB of memory. I was really getting used to this program and was becoming a fan of it.
On January 2007, Microsoft introduced Windows Vista which was equipped with its own speech recognition software. It comes in 7 different languages including 1 Japanese and 2 Chinese but no Korean. Even so I find the speech recognition software of Windows Vista to be far superior to Dragon Naturallyspeaking. Windows Vista has clever features which are quite beneficial like ‘show numbers’ command which highlights all available buttons. Currently I am using Windows Vista Home Premium Edition (English version) on Dell laptop computer XPS M1710 with 2 GB of memory. One thing I like about my Dell computer is that it has 6 USB connections. For the most part, I only need Windows Vista but there are a few applications where Windows Vista speech recognition software does not work well and I have to rely on Dragon Naturallyspeaking version 9.5 (Windows Vista compatible version). So I have both installed on my laptop computer.
In the market I found Korean version of speech recognition software called “By Voice” which costs about 150,000 KRW. The latest version of the software is dated 2002, and I found the software to be not even worth trying. I don’t know whether it is the poor development or the difficulty of the language that is to blame but anyhow it is a bad news for Korean handicapped people.
Turning air mattress
Another important and must-have is turning air mattress. I use portable Europa mattress. Before using this mattress, somebody had to change my body position every 3 to 4 hours day and night to prevent skin pressure sores from developing. As you can imagine, this was hard for the caregiver and myself as I was woken up several times during the night. The Europa mattress brought the end to this regular wake ups.
The mattress supposedly turns (rolls) about 20 degrees side by side every 12 minutes or so. I can barely feel the movement but have been told by experts (nurses at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center) that the amount of turning is good enough to prevent skin pressure sores. The mattress is $4000-5000 (not cheap) but it is highly recommended by the experts. In my case I ordered it to match the 220 electric voltage in Korea. For quadriplegic person like myself skin pressure sores can develop in less than 1 or 2 hours if we lie down on hard surface. The contact for Europa mattress is:
The Volkner Turning System and James Air Support Surfaces
Manufactured by James Consolidated, Inc./JCI International
P.O. Box 3483
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
www.volkner.com
Unfortunately there is no reseller in Korea and so one must get directly from U.S. It is expensive but there are much more expensive system that basically does the same job. So in my view it is worth the investment.
The mattress supposedly turns (rolls) about 20 degrees side by side every 12 minutes or so. I can barely feel the movement but have been told by experts (nurses at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center) that the amount of turning is good enough to prevent skin pressure sores. The mattress is $4000-5000 (not cheap) but it is highly recommended by the experts. In my case I ordered it to match the 220 electric voltage in Korea. For quadriplegic person like myself skin pressure sores can develop in less than 1 or 2 hours if we lie down on hard surface. The contact for Europa mattress is:
The Volkner Turning System and James Air Support Surfaces
Manufactured by James Consolidated, Inc./JCI International
P.O. Box 3483
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
www.volkner.com
Unfortunately there is no reseller in Korea and so one must get directly from U.S. It is expensive but there are much more expensive system that basically does the same job. So in my view it is worth the investment.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Power wheelchair and cushion
The first thing I think high-level spinal cord injury patient like myself (C4 complete) should have is power (electric) wheelchair with options to recline. I heard that the two biggest companies in U.S. are Sunrise Medical and Invacare. I have Invacare Storm TDX 3 with head control system which I purchased when I was at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in LA. In Rancho Los Amigos, as soon as I was admitted they put me on the power wheelchair. I paid about $17 K for my TDX 3. I know it is not cheap but I recommend such power wheelchair to quadriplegic patients because it gives freedom and mental comfort that comes with being able to move around yourself. The reclining option is very important because it helps to prevent pressure sores, the most annoying ailment to spinal cord injury patients. For every 30 or 60 minutes, I take 1 minute to recline on my wheelchair. So far this has been the most important defense against skin pressure sores.
In Korea, a company called "Tong-Il Medical (http://www.tongilmall.co.kr/main/main.htm; Tel: 02-766-3006)" is the agent of Invacare. Normally it takes several weeks to custom build the wheelchair to fit your body. The problem with power wheelchairs is that they are heavy and tall to fit in minivans for handicapped persons. My TDX 3 is almost 140 kilograms in itself. I can barely go through the doors of minivans. So in a sense, the power wheelchair limits the range of mobility. I keep a manual wheelchair as a backup and alternative to my power wheelchair. Sometimes it is easier to move around go to places on manual wheelchair pushed by family and friends. In any case, because you can control the timing of recline, the power wheelchair is probably the best prevention against skin pressure sores.
The chair cushion is also very important. I use Jay 2 cushion which is filled with silicon gel. In Korea I know many people use Roho air cushion which can be as effective as gel cushion. Both range around $400-500, I believe.
In Korea, a company called "Tong-Il Medical (http://www.tongilmall.co.kr/main/main.htm; Tel: 02-766-3006)" is the agent of Invacare. Normally it takes several weeks to custom build the wheelchair to fit your body. The problem with power wheelchairs is that they are heavy and tall to fit in minivans for handicapped persons. My TDX 3 is almost 140 kilograms in itself. I can barely go through the doors of minivans. So in a sense, the power wheelchair limits the range of mobility. I keep a manual wheelchair as a backup and alternative to my power wheelchair. Sometimes it is easier to move around go to places on manual wheelchair pushed by family and friends. In any case, because you can control the timing of recline, the power wheelchair is probably the best prevention against skin pressure sores.
The chair cushion is also very important. I use Jay 2 cushion which is filled with silicon gel. In Korea I know many people use Roho air cushion which can be as effective as gel cushion. Both range around $400-500, I believe.
Job and challenge
Whether for mental or economic reason, it is important for handicapped person to have a job where one can devote one’s energy. Finding someone who will hire a handicapped person can be extremely difficult. Luckily for me, I held assistant professorship at national university before my injury and was able to hold on to it. I am probably an exceptional case. Many people are not as fortunate as myself.
Keeping an academic position is not an easy matter as it used to be. Things have taken a turn in the last several years in Korea and it has become very tough to hold on to academic post in top universities. Promotions to associate and full professors are no longer automatic and we have to strive for tenureship. The requirements are strenuous even to normal people. Still I don’t want to cry over it, because this just one of many challenges that I simply have to accept and overcome in order to be an accepted member of this society. Although I cannot move my hands, there are these assistive devices that help me to write emails and papers and review other people’s manuscripts (in short, to do my job). This web page is about such technical know-hows that have become important part of my life and means of survival.
Keeping an academic position is not an easy matter as it used to be. Things have taken a turn in the last several years in Korea and it has become very tough to hold on to academic post in top universities. Promotions to associate and full professors are no longer automatic and we have to strive for tenureship. The requirements are strenuous even to normal people. Still I don’t want to cry over it, because this just one of many challenges that I simply have to accept and overcome in order to be an accepted member of this society. Although I cannot move my hands, there are these assistive devices that help me to write emails and papers and review other people’s manuscripts (in short, to do my job). This web page is about such technical know-hows that have become important part of my life and means of survival.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Preface
I am quadriplegic with complete injury on C4 of my spinal cord. This means I have no sensation below my shoulder and cannot move my arms and legs at all. The injury occurred during a motor vehicle accident on July 2nd, 2006 while I was driving around in California as part of geological field trip with students. Immediately after the accident, I was airlifted by a helicopter to Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California where I had my operation. A month later I moved to University Hospital of University of Southern California in Los Angeles. I stayed almost a month in Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Los Angeles before I flew back to Korea. Upon returning back home after three months in USA, I was admitted to Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and stayed there for another three months.
This blog is created to share my experience and know-how with other people who themselves or their loved ones may have undergone similar trauma. I found that the exchange of ideas and information is crucial to people like us with severe disability. Despite my injury, I find myself being able to do much of the things I used to do, like teaching and research with the aid of computers and other assistive devices. It is amazing how a small piece of knowledge can improve the quality of one's life, and I believe technologies will get better.
This blog is created to share my experience and know-how with other people who themselves or their loved ones may have undergone similar trauma. I found that the exchange of ideas and information is crucial to people like us with severe disability. Despite my injury, I find myself being able to do much of the things I used to do, like teaching and research with the aid of computers and other assistive devices. It is amazing how a small piece of knowledge can improve the quality of one's life, and I believe technologies will get better.
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