Meet Birgit

"I got my voice back with MyTobii P10"

On the door of Birgit Krumschmidt’s living room hangs a note encouraging those who enter to first greet Birgit and then to stand behind her MyTobii screen. The reason for this is that Birgit is often in the middle of a private conversation via eye control communication.

The technological aid has given Birgit her ‘voice’ back and with it, new dignity as a human being. Now she can once again express her thoughts and wishes, manage several tasks herself online and via email, and not least, communicate in detail with everyone, from doctors and helpers to family and friends.

”Previously, when I went to talk with the ALS team at the hospital, conversations did not always take place on my terms. I would be left with unanswered questions. This caused many frustrations. Today, I have MyTobii with me and can present extensive questions that I have prepared in advance,” says Birgit.

Regaining a small part of life “What has surprised me the most about getting MyTobii is that I can write emails and have meaningful conversations with my husband, without any misunderstandings or having to involve other people,” says Birgit.

In her everyday life, she personally maintains contact with her doctors, renews prescriptions, reads local newspapers online, writes emails to family and friends, and talks with her helpers via her MyTobii.

“It is important to me that people respect me for the person I am. I have regained a small part of my life with MyTobii, and I have gained access to several new possibilities that I am trying to take advantage of. It is impossible to describe how it feels to once again be able to talk with my husband and 20-year-old son – it has made a huge improvement to my quality of life.”

Quick on the keys Birgit is in close contact with Ole Brunbjerg from Fanø Soft who regularly helps her adjust the set-up and optimise the device so that she has the support she needs and wants.

“‘You’ve typed before’ he said the first time he saw me use MyTobii. He had expected it to take about two weeks for me to get used to using my eyes to control the screen and key board. But before he left that day, I was already making headway. It was a fantastic experience to once again be able to express my thoughts,” Birgit says.

News for many people “I have yet to meet any doctors or other hospital staff who know about the new technology of eye control. Ole and I agree that something must be done about this because as an aid, MyTobii helps ease everyday life in a very tangible way, just like a wheelchair does,” says Birgit.

According to Birgit Krumschmidt, living with ALS cultivates patience; but with her eyes and MyTobii she has regained a little of her personal voice: “Now I don’t have to be content with saying just yes and no.”