WorldTechnology and Multiple Sclerosis
1 day ago
By Michael Ogg, as told to Hallie Levine
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1996. My condition has left me a quadriplegic. I’m unable to move any muscles below my neck. But I can still speak, and my mind is as sharp as a tack. There’s no doubt that if it weren’t for advances in technology, I wouldn’t be able to live my life as I do at the moment. It’s allowed me to live independently and to lead a full, rich, productive life.
Thankfully, technology has always seemed to advance just when I’ve needed it most. Apple announced the first iPad in January 2010. I was in the hospital at the time and was increasingly frustrated using my laptop. With limited use of one arm, it was becoming more and more difficult to navigate my computer. Then, a friend of mine showed up at the hospital with a brand new iPad. It was so much easier for me to use since I just needed one finger to type over the screen.
As my disease has evolved and progressed, so have the tools I use. Here’s a look at what makes my life with MS [...]