multiple sclerosis

Filed under: Uncategorized

Quoting ablegamers.com:

Facial mouse is a piece of software that gets the human-computer interaction without the use of hands, cables, sensors or other device. The interaction is done by using a camera and software that recognizes the movement and gestures of the face. HeadDev is a free facial mouse developed by Vodafone Spain Foundation and the Spanish Foundation for the Integration of Disabled that works with any standard webcam. HeadDev is specially designed for people with severe motor disabilities Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Cord Injuries, Muscular Dystrophy, etc., because the system only uses the nose or facial movements as the mouse pointer to simulate a standard mouse. Although this software has been developed to handle desktop applications, it can also be used to play games that meet certain requirements:

• No time limit to complete the levels
• Can be controlled with mouse only
• Has no need for quick repeating of mouse clicks or very precise movements

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Here are some examples of free games that meet these characteristics:

Max Damage

Coign of Vantage

Little Wheel

Awale

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Here’s a YouTube clip:

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Filed under: Regular Contributors, Brian Segal, Themes, Wheelchairman of the Board

Irked recently received the following one-sentence email from the Wisecracker Grandmaster—the ALWAYS funny, and NEVER dull Mr. Brian Segal:

“Just a thought I had. If there really is life after death then why can’t dead people get life insurance policies?”

Brian Segal is living in the country north of Montréal. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis about 18 years ago and, when asked, tells people he is retired (It sounds a lot better than telling people you are on disability insurance). He is happily married, no children, but one very friendly husky cross. He also has the good fortune of living in his own home, not a home.

Click here for all Irked posts by Brian

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Filed under: Regular Contributors, Brian Segal, Themes, Wheelchairman of the Board

Fragments

by Brian Segal

You had better write it down before your mind locks it up and throws away the key.

Walking down Crescent Street in Montreal at about 3:00 in the morning circa 1971. The colors and slightly mad thoughts of psychedelic drugs Click to continue »

Filed under: Regular Contributors, Brian Segal, Themes, Wheelchairman of the Board

My Shoes Will Last Forever

An original essay by Brian Segal

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Filed under: Themes, Wheelchairman of the Board, Irked Videos

Irked Magazine proudly presents Mathieu Labaye’s remarkable short-movie “Orgesticulanismus”—a movie that’s difficult to pronounce, but impossible to forget. This is an extraordinary, poignant tribute to his father, Benoît Labaye, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 29 years old. Benoît Labaye had been confined to a wheelchair since age 40 and died at 55 years old on April 22, 2006, as a result of pneumonia.

CLICK HERE to watch Orgesticulanismus.

Story courtesy of Élaine Hébert’s CitizenShift/ParoleCitoyenne blog

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Filed under: Regular Contributors, Brian Segal, Themes, Wheelchairman of the Board

A TOMB WITH A VIEW (or Things seem to be looking up)

by Brian Segal

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Filed under: Regular Contributors, Brian Segal, Themes, Standard Insomniatic Fare, Wheelchairman of the Board

Surrounded By Time

By Brian Segal

I have had problems with insomnia. Perhaps that is not exactly the truth. I used the past tense in the first sentence. My difficulties concerning sleep deprivation were only artificially overcome with a “cocktail” of sleep aids (medications). My sleep may not be “naturally” induced but it sure beats Click to continue »

Filed under: Regular Contributors, Brian Segal, Themes, Wheelchairman of the Board

Trapped In A Web Of My Own Doing

(Or how vacuum cleaners and wheelchairs do not mix)

by Brian Segal

Although I am in a wheelchair, I still like to try and help out with the day to day chores around the house. There are limitations of course. Shovelling snow off the roof of the house is no longer possible. Crane operators will not insure the hoisting of my chair up on the roof. Click to continue »

Filed under: Regular Contributors, Lewis Schofield, Themes, Auties & Aspies, QuIrked Kids, Irked Audio, Interviews

Elyse Bruce (Founder, midnightinchicago.com):

We interviewed Douglas Giesel who has Multiple Sclerosis and Lewis, who talks about Asperger Syndrome and Myasthenia Gravis. Both interviews are very enlightening as they discuss the obstacles of invisible disabilities and how the outside world reacts to those with invisible disabilities.

Douglas talks about his MS and about the stereotypes he used to have about Autism. He even uses the phrase “… something that IRKS me to no end …” Hahaha!

And then there’s the ever delightful Lewis and he has a lot to say about Autism, about his new school situation, about his latest diagnosis and more.”

Listen to this episode (30 min):  

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Filed under: Regular Contributors, Brian Segal

Man’s Best Friend (Or how the windows in my home were replaced)

by Brian Segal

I’m not really sure where to start this story so I guess I’ll take the advice of the king in Lewis Carroll’s story Alice in Wonderland and “Begin at the Beginning and go on till you come to the End.”

For as long as I can remember I have always had a dog. Click to continue »