Voice For Living » Tasha Shoffner

I Can’t Do That

Tasha Shoffner — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:01:53 +0000

During my junior and senior years of high school, I went half a day to school and half a day to the career center where I took computer programming and my English class. Due to the small class size, the same teacher, Ms. Tucker, taught both junior and senior level English courses. One day, I was telling my friend all the things I couldn’t do, such as make a clear phone call, or even fix my hair like I wanted to because I only had the full use of my left hand. She stopped me and said I needed to stop thinking about what I can’t do and concentrate on what I can do. Talk about a light bulb moment! It is moments like these that have real influence on our lives.

We all have these light bulb moments throughout our lives and how we choose to learn from them is up to us. Everyone has a story to tell and experiences to share that can be of benefit to your audience, whether it is one person or an auditorium of 250 people. As an AAC user, this blog is my opportunity to share those moments with the general public in need of AAC education.

“I can’t do that” has been replaced with “I can do this!” I may not be able to make a clear phone call, however, I can use my DynaWrite 2.0 to make a call, or send a text, or an email. I found ways to fix my hair with one hand. The straightening iron is a wonderful invention! There is always more than one way to accomplish the task at hand. As AAC users, we are great at adjusting to most situations very well. We have the ability to teach others to do the same.

The art of compromise

Tasha Shoffner — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:01:22 +0000

With the way things are in Washington, it’s a wonder anything productive gets done at all. It is very easy to get caught up in one’s own ideologies and forget the bigger picture. We, as AAC users, view the world from a different perspective and often have the ability to compromise where compromise seems unlikely or even impossible.

Growing up with sisters, I learned the art of compromise very early in life. Being the oldest of three, and then becoming the second of five at 13 years old, compromise became an art form. My mom married my stepdad and he had two daughters of his own. Getting ready for school was like controlled chaos but it worked because we all had a routine that worked.

AAC users, as with anyone else, are frequently faced with maddening situations. We have a responsibility to learn how to adjust to the demands of daily life. If we are not able to work together to overcome our differences, we will never learn the best of what of what we have to offer to society. For example, if I had not received my first AAC device in college, I would not have graduated with my bachelor’s degree in social work or be writing this blog.

If more were willing to compromise and see the bigger picture, the world would be a more peaceful and safer place to live. There is no doubt in my mind that the unwillingness of a few to compromise is at the root of today’s global societal problems.

Setting Priorities

Tasha Shoffner — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 01:01:22 +0000

With all the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it is difficult to remember the priorities we set for ourselves. The daily routines of work, school, or other activities can easily distract us from achieving our goals. One must not forget that all of these activities are pieces of the big picture. They are essential pieces of our lives; however, they cannot stand alone.

Speaking at conferences is essential to me as an AAC user. This is a critical educational opportunity for the public at large. Also, it allows me to stay up to date with the latest AAC technology. A major priority for me and for any AAC user is the education of the general public of AAC technology and all of its benefits.

What are your priorities? This question should stay in the back of your mind. Just as our lives continually change, our priorities do too. For example, my priority changed from getting to get my Bachelor’s degree to getting my MBA. Whatever your priorities are, don’t lose sight of them.

New opportunities on the horizon

Tasha Shoffner — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 01:01:53 +0000

With the current state of the economy, people are forced to find ways to generate income, often times, having little or nothing to do with their chosen field of study. We, as AAC users, are no different. I am one of those people.

I have put a profile on the website Care.com, which links up nannies with families. Children are always very inquisitive about my device. I have applied to a few jobs in my area and went on an interview. It seemed to go well and the kids were intrigued with my DynaWrite. Hopefully, the parents thought so too! Though this job has little to do with AAC, it still affords me the opportunity to educate others about this technology. The fact that I’m getting paid for it is just icing on the cake. Along with this blog, I am able to educate people of all ages about AAC, which really has become my task in life.

This is just my latest opportunity to come my way. What are your new opportunities? I saw mine and seized it. So, it’s up to you!

Helping another augmented communicator

Tasha Shoffner — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 01:01:16 +0000

I received an email from Kristin Whitfield from DynaVox asking for my assistance with programming a client’s, DynaVox Vmax with EyeMax system. This got my creative juices flowing. Though it had been awhile since I have had everyday hands on experience with this specific device, I knew I could be of great assistance. It’s like riding a bike, you never forget. You just have to get back on it and start peddling. The fact that Justin Birch has a V was of great help. I was able to practice on his device.

As most of you all aware, I use the DynaWrite 2.0, which is totally different from the V. To better assist in this situation, I recalled my time when I ran the Assistive Technology Lab at Easter Seals of Greater Houston, formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Houston as an AmeriCorps ASSET member. I had several different AAC devices, including the V, and gave several presentations in the lab. The individual that I was helping in this situation was also client there and attended Camp Smiles, which allows children with disabilities experience summer camp just as any other child.

Justin and I met with the client’s mother to help her program his device. She was particularly interested in downloading videos from sites such as You Tube, Disney.com, and Nick.com. Justin showed her how he saves videos on his device. We are able to speak about this young person’s progress and their future goals.

Hopefully this will lead to more opportunities for me to help local AAC users to find their voice. I view this as the first step to many more people speaking their minds and reaching their personals goals and dreams.

The Next Generation and AAC

Tasha Shoffner — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 01:01:59 +0000

Both my niece and nephew recently celebrated birthdays in a few weeks. They were born 10 years apart, nearly to the day. Justin and I traveled back to my hometown to watch my niece, Krissah, graduate from high school, just three days after celebrating her 18^th birthday. The next day, we rushed back home to watch my nephew’s, Bryce’s, baseball tournament. He turned 8 the day before Krissah turned 18. Why am I gushing about my niece and nephew? Because they have no memory of me without my AAC device.

They are just two examples of how AAC can positively affect lives of users and non-users. Krissah was in diapers when I received my first device. When she was younger, she thought of it as a toy with funny voices. As she grew older, she realized what it has done for me and what it could do for others. Now, she has decided to become a nurse. There’s no doubt that her exposure to this technology has made her a more compassionate person.

Bryce gets a kick out of all the different sound effects Justin has on his V, especially the “mmmm chocolate.” They have really connected. This is a great sign for the future of AAC and the education of the general public. The younger the learning starts, the longer the lesson will stay. This lesson of different forms of communication will last a lifetime.

The 27th Annual Texas Brain Injury Conference

Tasha Shoffner — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 01:01:02 +0000

On the 16^th of April, I had the pleasure of presenting at the 27^th Annual Texas Brain Injury Conference in Austin. I spoke about my brain injury and how AAC has helped me overcoming the barriers I have encountered in life. There was great interest in my presentation and I received great feedback.

I concentrated on my life story and how my successes intertwined with the use of AAC and how I seemed to get a better device just as I accomplished a goal. I received my first device, a laptop, in time to write my papers and complete all oral presentations in college. The DynaVox DynaMyte came into play in my last semester. Just in time for my internship. Finally, I received the DynaWrite after becoming a consumer representative for the company, which allowed me to communicate much quicker than before.

I also stressed the need for AAC education for the general public. According to David Beukelman, 8 out of every 1000 people have some form of communication disorder, or 2 million people in the U.S.

I also discussed Martin and Marshall’s seven components of self determination and how I have utilized them throughout my life. They are:

Self-awareness- the ability to identify and understand needs, interests, strengths, limitations, and values.
Self-advocacy- the ability to assertively state wants, needs and rights, determine and pursue needed supports, and conduct your own affairs.
Self-efficacy –belief that you can obtain your goal or self confidence.
Decision-making- setting goals and standards, identifying information to make decisions, and considering past solutions, generating new solutions, if needed, and choosing the best option to develop a plan.
Independent performance- refers to the ability to initiate and complete tasks, by using self-management strategies.
Self-evaluation- includes monitoring task performance and determining if the plan has been completed and the goal met.

With self determination, the use of AAC, and just good old fashioned hard work, any person with a communication disorder can reach their goals in life. I am just one example of many that have done just that!

Get In the Game

Tasha Shoffner — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:27:52 +0000

My 7 year old nephew, Bryce, plays on two little league teams. To say that he is passionate about the game of baseball would be a huge understatement. Hunter Pence, of the Houston Astros, is his idol. Everyone, including AAC users, needs to be passionate about something they truly love. It is through our passions that our goals are reached.

As AAC users, we often have a bumpy road to fulfilling our passions and goals, which makes our successes even sweeter. When we reach them, it’s important to share them with the public. I know I may sound like a broken record; however, the education of AAC to the broad population is absolutely critical. AAC education is an ongoing and evolving process.

Here are some cool ways to get into the game:

Have some funny sound bites on your device. It will get the attention of others and give you the opportunity to educate them about AAC
Go out there and reach for your goals in life with your AAC device. Your efforts will be noticed.
Have your favorite games or songs loaded on your device. This will be a great conversation starter.

Life is what you make it. We can either get into the game or sit in the dugout. We as AAC users need to hit a homerun by living our lives to the fullest and educating others on the benefits of AAC.

Perspectives

Tasha Shoffner — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:31:00 +0000

With all the new high tech gadgets available to us, it is easy to get lost in the possibilities of what it offers. Just when you think that there’s no way things cannot possibly get any more computerized, they do. As AAC users, we hold the key to voices of thousands who otherwise would not have them. If you stop and think about that for a minute, an awesome opportunity and responsibility has been placed upon us.

Each of us as a unique perspective on AAC and therefore has a different way of passing on his or her knowledge of this technology to new users or those who are designing the next generation of AAC devices. It is teaching others, such as new AAC users, teachers, parents, doctors, therapists, and the general public at large, that will allow the AAC device to be as common place as a wheel chair. Maya Angelo is right when she says “When you know better, you do better”.

People are often wary of things they do not understand. The more you speak about your device, the more understanding people become. Thus, the fear subsides and the openness to communicate is established. Communication is best way to allay any fear a person may have of this foreign technology. It’s amazing what a simple conversation can accomplish. Anyone can have a conversation and see what the other person has to say. Who knows? They just might become friends and build a network of friends they would not have otherwise have had. It’s all a matter of perspective.

Establishing New Roots

Tasha Shoffner — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 01:01:42 +0000

After four months of paperwork, which turned out to be unnecessary, I was finally able to move into my new apartment in March. It was not just another move, it’s it truly a fresh start for me. The surroundings are a complete 180 and I will no longer be living alone.

As some of you are aware, Justin Birch and I will be making a home together here in Katy, TX. As two AAC users, our devices will become intertwined in our daily lives. Whereas I can be understood at times, he must use his device at all times. It will be interesting to see how things will progress as time passes.

This is a great example of what AAC can do for people with speech impairments. There’s no way that Justin and I could accomplish this feat without this technology. We would not be able to complete the steps necessary – such as, getting the utilities turned on, speaking to the landlord, cable company, bank, telephone company, or the all the other people necessary to move – to live on our own. AAC gave us the power to live the life we wanted together. It has the power to do the same for all users.