Black. Every time my finger made contact with the screen, it turned black, and it would flicker like static on a TV made in the 90’s. My voice was malfunctioning. It’s a frightening sight to see the thing you depend on and what is an extension of yourself so broken. I had a presentation in 2 hours just to maximize the stress.
On Saturday afternoons, I choose to not have a caregiver so I can have time to myself. 99.9% of the time this is wonderful. It gives me a little break from having someone around. This was the 0.1% that it’s less than wonderful. I had reached out to Jenny, my rep from the company via text explaining how much of a problem this was. She took two hours to respond because it was a Saturday. My rep was at the Botanic Gardens with her family. She made the generous decision to ask them to go home so she could help me. I was speaking at a place which was 45 minutes from my house, and I don’t know how far she had to drive from her house.
Meanwhile, I texted my longtime friend and co-presenter, Kevin. This had never happened. Kevin said he would improvise until I arrived. When I did arrive, it was an interesting scene and that is putting it mildly. You know, better yet, I’ll start with the car ride there. Remember Olivia from the airport debacle? She was there for this show too.
“How are we going to mount it on, Olivia?” I said referring to the fact that I need my device mounted on my chair.
“I’m not above duct tape.” Olivia said.
“Oh my God. How am I going to speak to these kids?” I asked.
“Honestly, I don’t know but we will figure it out.”
I nodded my head.
In the parking lot, I saw Jenny. She had on a khaki skirt and a blouse.
“That device is flickering. That’s crazy, Hannah!”
Without using my communication device, I said, “Yeah, I know. Thank you…”
“Of course! You have to be able to do your job not to mention communicate. I understand.”
World’s best speech therapist.
“Did you bring the mount?” Olivia asked.
“I thought about that. My device has a mounting plate but transferring that thing is going to be difficult.”
On the back of my device, there is a horseshoe shaped mount. That piece attaches to a little black square. It’s supposed to hold my device on no matter what. Needless to say, taking it off is like detaching a brick from a brick wall. It’s possible but not easy. Kevin came out and offered to help.
“I think you need to hit the mount against the stone bench, or it’ll never come off.” Jenny said. We had made the bench our impromptu workstation.
“Are you sure it won’t break anything?” Kevin asked.
I nodded at Kevin as Jenny confirmed that it was the best option. It literally goes against every ounce of common sense. Typically, I don’t ask people to slam my equipment into stone but there’s a time and place for everything. Kevin hit it once and then again. It fell off. Eureka!
“Screwdriver. We need a screwdriver.” Olivia announced like she was a surgeon asking for a scalpel.
“I brought one,” Jenny said.
I felt helpless in that moment. Everyone had the physical ability to help besides me. It doesn’t feel great being the one that always needs help. I knew this trio did not mind and knew my worth. However, as I get older, these “adventures” become increasingly irritating instead of entertaining. Life’s hard enough. My communication device should just work!
“Perfect.”
Jenny and Olivia screwed everything in. Jenny even thought to download my voice. My “voice” is from AT&T and is not offered on my device unless it’s downloaded. This is annoying because users get attached to their voices.
“OK. You’re set. I would stay and watch but I have babies at home.” Jenny said.
“I’m so grateful that you came. It means the world.”
“Of course.”
The presentation did go well. I’m so grateful for Jenny. It’s just getting tiring to be dependent on technology because everything breaks, and my life is on hold until an able-bodied person can help. I love the people, but I hate the problems.
“Olivia, you will be a speech therapist like Jenny. I know it!”
“Thanks, I hope so.”
“I know so.”
The speech went well. I was at a retreat for middle school students so they weren’t too excited, but I can’t blame them. I never want to go through that again. I’m still waiting on my communication device to get repaired. I’m ready to have it back.
Happy June,
Hannah!
