John Fernendes' story
technology solutions
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John Fernendes' greatest source of joy is spending time with his wife and son.
But a serious fall at a construction site left him with a traumatic brain injury, so the 53-year-old has spent much time since the accident living in a WorkSafeBC rehabilitation home in Langley. While this warm, welcoming residence provides the high level of therapy and support he needs, John found himself missing regular interaction with his close-knit family.
At the same time, WorkSafeBC support workers were finding it challenging to engage John in enjoyable activities. John, who speaks Portuguese, has very little English and no experience with computers.
After meeting with John and WorkSafeBC staff, the CanAssist team recommended two technologies: CanConnect and the Visual Music Browser, which would be installed on a computer in John's bedroom at his group home.
"We focused on technologies that would improve John's sense of connection to his family while also introducing him to the world of computers in a fun and non-threatening way," says Leo Spalteholz, CanAssist's manager of software.
CanConnect is a simple program based on Skype - the software application that lets people make free phone calls over the Internet. CanAssist's program takes Skype a step further by making the technology accessible to people who may be intimidated by computers or unable to use a regular mouse or keyboard. In addition, CanConnect users enjoy both an audio and a visual connection with the person they contact.
On delivery day, Leo presented John with a touch-screen computer monitor that displayed photos of loved ones. Without a moment's hesitation, John eagerly placed a call to his wife, Lisette, simply by touching her photo on the screen. He smiled warmly once they were connected.
"He seemed to love the fact that he and Lisette could be chatting in Portuguese, while he could simultaneously see his son, Jason, playing in the background," recalls Tanya Switucka, CanAssist's client relations coordinator.
"It is pretty cool that Dad has his own computer and that I can even help him with it," his son, Jason, told us later. "I can tell him where to go to watch the best soccer games."
The Visual Music Browser has also been an excellent fit for John.
An interface for iTunes software, this technology allows people with a range of disabilities to manage their music and audio files independently. Six albums covers are displayed at a time on a computer screen and users easily scroll through pages using the arrow keys on their keyboard. Simply pressing the "enter" button makes a selection.
"John isn't afraid of the computer any more," says Beryl, his key worker. "He's happy with it and uses it as much as he can."
The two computer programs have also been installed at his family home, so that when John visits, he and Lisette know there are activities he can enjoy independently.
John's next goal is to expand his CanConnect calls to family and friends in Portugal. But for now, it's wonderful to feel so connected with his immediate family.
"He is so happy - look how he smiles," says his wife, Lisette, following a CanConnect call from John. "It is so much better to be able to visit like this at times when I can't go all the way over to see him."
For more information, see stories on CanConnect and the Visual Music Browser in our Technologies and devices section.Return to the list of WorkSafeBC-related articles.
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