$10,000 speech board taken from gym
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 26/01) - Margaret Boulanger has lost her voice.
The 43-year-old woman is struggling for words after her $10,000 automated speech board went missing from Body Works Training and Rehab Centre last Friday.
"It's very tiring," she said with slow, laboured breaths.
A stroke severely effected the active mother's speech four years ago, leaving her body's right side partially paralysed.
The costly device was left in a blue nylon bag at the gym Friday afternoon. Her twice-weekly gym visits are part of her rehabilitation.
Boulanger believes someone took the board thinking it was a laptop computer.
It's not, as her husband of 14-years pointed out.
"There's no keyboard. Just one screen and a big, black on-off button," Andre said.
"It's smaller and thicker than a regular (laptop). The battery-operated screen offers a selection of letters, words and word symbols.
Not only a tool for talking, the illuminated board is her voice when names escape her.
"Even if she doesn't use it all the time for speech, it helps her to re-learn," Andre said.
He credits the board with helping his wife come back from a stroke that left her nearly lifeless 10 years into their marriage.
The couple are holding out for the computer's return. Replacing the $10,000 device is not an option.
"There is nothing we can do," he said. "We just have to wait."
Boulanger considered skipping the "Count Me In" disabilities conference this week without her specialized board.
Anyone finding the device can contact the Boulangers by pushing the screen's phone or address button.
An automated voice will provide the appropriate directions.
