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Sarah was having problems with her phone and iPad. Now retired, she knew from her previous career working with persons with disabilities to reach out to Neil Squire.

“It was very distressing,” she says. “I was at the point I was stressed even answering my phone, because it wasn’t ringing enough times.”

With help from Neil Squire, Sarah learned how to use her phone more effectively, reducing her stress “by about 80%.” Having become more comfortable with her devices, she wanted to learn how to use Dragon Naturally Speaking. Sarah has Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, which makes typing and using a mouse difficult, so Dragon would allow her to navigate her computer with voice commands.

She joined our Digital Jumpstart program, and began working with an assistive technology trainer, Jody. While Sarah had some previous experience with Dragon, she was worried that it might be difficult to learn.

“When we began, I really wondered whether I was ever going to memorize everything necessary. Jody encouraged me to practice things over and over again, and gave me the feeling that she had no doubt that I would eventually get it! And I did, to an amazing degree,” Sarah shares. “[Jody]’s an awesome person to be doing what she does, because of her patience, her humour, her understanding, and her skill. She’s extremely skilled as a teacher. I felt really honoured that I was able to take it with her.”

When they would run into a bug with Dragon or Microsoft Word, another program she was learning, Jody would encourage her to find another way to solve the problem. Having recordings of the lessons also allows Sarah to revisit lessons and refresh her knowledge.

“Every time that I listen to the recordings of our sessions, I remember or relearn important information. This prevents anxiety about forgetting and reinforces her teaching really effectively,” Sarah says.

Through Digital Jumpstart, Sarah received a USB hub, as well as a headset with a microphone. She was also put in touch with our program and had assistive devices made that help her write and make art.

“Everybody that I’ve worked with has been so sensitive to my comfort level, and how to help me pace myself in learning and be patient with myself, and it’s really paid off,” she says.

With her newfound skills with Dragon, Sarah finds it much easier to do essential tasks on her devices like writing emails and using the internet. She is also using it to write poetry and a children’s story for her grandchildren.

“I have newfound confidence that whatever my health challenges present me with, I will still be able to use my devices, especially my computer, to remain in communication with others, seek information, and express my creativity. Because I use my voice to command the computer, I can open my mail or scroll down while researching, and I can stay in touch socially,” she says.

“Of course, I know I will always be learning new things about Dragon. Nonetheless, the grounding that Jody was able to give me in using my computer programs, continues to be immensely helpful.

“This is priceless, and I most sincerely say thank you very much to all of you.”