Jean Pierre Forest's story
Technology solution for J.P.
|
While still physically strong and mobile, the Vancouver-area resident suffered a traumatic brain injury that has had a significant impact on his memory.
J.P.'s hard work and motivation have had a great effect on his rehabilitation. But like many people with brain injuries, it can be difficult for him to remember how to complete some tasks that require a specific sequence of steps.
Toward the end of 2010, J.P's support team at WorkSafeBC asked whether CanAssist could provide a software tool that would help him remember tasks that require a sequence of steps.
"There are many applications that help people with scheduling, but they don't have a sequencing aspect to them," explains Peter McGuire, of CanAssist's engineering team.
"These applications may remind J.P. to go to work every Thursday, but they won't remind him of all the steps he needs to take in order to actually get to work."
So Peter developed an application that includes this crucial sequencing feature, along with a standard scheduling component. The new app was written to work on Apple's ubiquitous handheld devices, including the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
Called the Task Manager, the tool makes it possible to break down virtually any task into a series of photos and accompanying text. So, for example, J.P. and a support worker could make lasagna, take a picture of each step with his iPod Touch and add text whenever more specific instructions were needed. Then they could save the series of photos, name it "Lasagna" and put it in a category called "Cooking."
In future, when J.P. wants to make lasagna or some other meal, he can simply pick up his iPod, go to "Cooking," and follows the steps, swiping the screen with his finger when he's ready to move to the next photo.
"It works great - I can add whatever tasks I need to remember," says J.P. "I will add more and more tasks as I get more to do at work, and when I start taking the bus to work."
J.P. has recently returned to work at Avigalon, the company he co-founded. To start, his modified work plan includes packaging the security systems the company produces. Being extremely focused while on the job, the Task Manager has been instrumental in reminding J.P. to stop regularly for breaks. During these breaks, he performs a series of therapeutic stretches - all illustrated in photos - that help prevent back pain.
Alisa Ferdinandi, a speech language pathologist who works with J.P., says the Task Manager is also being used to improve his language and recall. For example, one task prompts J.P. to read a particular story, take notes on elements such as plot, setting and characters, and then recount the story to a support worker based on these notes.
"I really like this application - I wish it could be available for many of my clients!" Alisa told us recently in an email.
In the meantime, whenever Peter makes an improvement to the Task Manager, he calls J.P. to let him know he can download the latest version from the CanAssist website.
"Every time I call, he's really positive - he's the kind of guy who likes to get things done, who doesn't let things stand in his way," says Peter.
J.P.'s responsibilities at work will likely be increased in the months to come, and he will also be taking the bus to and from work on his own. The Task Manager will be there to guide him every step of the way.
Return to the list of WorkSafeBC-related articles.