The abuse and controlling of me became unbearable.
Often at night my alarms would go off because I was choking
leaving me to choke and letting me pass out was starting to become an often occurrence.
She would explode, "I wish you would just die already."
I can’t stand you.
Grabbing my head: and slamming it against my headrest.
I felt extremely helpless.
(leave’s rustling)
My Name is Scott McGuire
I grew up on a small farm in West Central Pennsylvania.
I was a very active, outdoors type of person.
I really enjoyed the social side of life.
I was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 1997.
The disease continued to progress until I finally went into respiratory arrest,
and acquired this permanent plastic leash to keep me alive.
As I was dealing with having ALS, I was also dealing with physical and mental abuse towards me.
After my TobiiDynavox came into my life I was able to document these abuses and reach out for help.
I was able to reconnect with one of my best friends from college.
I soon confided in her what had been happening.
And luckily Maria, who is by my side today, was there to rescue me.
I swore on my life that I would never ever put him in a nursing home.
And if anything were to happen I would be there to take care of him.
I went back to school; went for nursing.
Now I know he’ll always have a nurse.
So he’s good.
Thank you.
You’re welcome.
You always have to live life, as the glass is half full, it’s never half empty.
He would always say that to me, and that’s how he still lives life now.
My world went from a small one to an ever-expanding universe.
I decided to not allow this disease to define the rest of my life.
He’s able to speak for himself.
He does everything on this.
He changes the channel’s, plays poker, Facebook, he can talk to friends.
You don’t always have to be there right next to him.
And I don’t have to talk for him at all.
He says what he wants to say.
Because of my Tobii Dynavox I finally had a voice.
It saved my life, and gave me a promising future that I can now see.
I still think he’s the same person, he just doesn’t have the big muscles that he used to have.
But personality wise, attitude
100% the same person.
But I’m still a smart ass.
Yes he is.
Undefeatable.