Thomaston's Paul Szantyr, a former cross-country coach and Kaynor Technical School teacher, was diagnosed with ALS nearly seven years ago. Now, Szantyr, 47, can barely speak and has limited movement in his left thumb. But thanks to technology, he's close to completing his second book, "How Does a Red Sox Fan Get Lou Gehrig's Disease?"Oct. 2008 video interview on Connecticut WFSB News Channel with Paul Szantyr.
Voice For Joanie is a non- profit corporation that provides assistive technology to people suffering with ALS, so they may have a "voice".
A team of VFJ volunteers meets with the client and family members to evaluate the need and to determine which communication equipment will help. Computer technology is adapted and modified according to specific needs, and a volunteer is assigned to each client to provide continuous individual support.
During the 18 years it has been in existence helping those suffering from ALS, Voice For Joanie has assisted over 584 people.
Some other famous people with ALS
Joanie was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
ALS ( Lou Gehrig's Disease) is a progressive disorder of the nervous system which causes degeneration in both upper and lower motor neurons and results in muscle weakness.
Shirley Fredlund:
"I would talk with her on the phone and notice
the slurring in her words. I
would go to visit her and notice she was having more difficulty; this continued
to a point where she was unable to talk and move. The only thing she was able
to do was blink. We used to talk to each other with a letter board. I would
point to the letter and she would indicate by blinking which letter she wished
to use and we would spell out words. And I thought, there has to be a better way
".
Building hope in the blink of an eyeVFJ Video
NEW MILFORD: The gift of voice About Joanie
Danbury Area Computer Society - One
of many organizations supporting VFJ with donations
and Volunteers
