Woman reunited with automated speech machine
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Feb 14/01) - Margaret Boulanger can't stop smiling.
Her $10,000 speech computer was returned by an A&W employee last week almost a month after it went missing from a local gym.
"I want to say thank-you, thank you so much," Boulanger said between visits at a coffee shop.
Boulanger depends on the machine to communicate with family and friends.
The computerized screen "speaks" when a symbol, word or letter is pressed. A massive stroke destroyed her speech and language skills four years ago.
Replacing the three-pound device was out of her family's budget. People had, however, offered to finance a replacement board.
"It's a big thing for her," said Boulanger's husband, Andre. "It's worth $10,000 but getting it back is priceless."
A&W owner Larry Adams said the computer and case had been behind the counter for several weeks.
When Boulanger walked in, as she sometimes does, Adams approached her.
"You should have seen her face, she just lit up," Adams said.
"She was smiling and very, very happy."
Now reunited with the board, Boulanger has returned to her language assignments - homework that her 11-year old son Felix helps with.
