Lee’s Summit, Mo. – A paralyzed Raytown man hopes that the new technology using eye monitoring is promising to give him a voice.
The cause of his paralysis is due to “locked syndrome”, a rare neurological disorder.
The 32 -year -old resilient man receives care at the Missouri mentor at the top of Lee.
After living with Locked in Syndrome for more than two decades, Jeremy Tye and his family hope that the new technology will help give him a voice.
Jeremy and Mom Holly Tye are currently using a table of letters to communicate.
He uses his eyes to indicate yes or no.
“Use this graphic to be able to go through each letter so that he can really spell it, because his brain still works very well in there,” said Holly, “and as you have seen, he is very verbose. He likes to spell.”
Holly and John Tye said their son was fun and out.
“He spreads joy to all those with whom he is,” said Holly, “he is simply incredible.”
He liked to play football and speak on the phone, but Holly said that the chatter stopped when Jeremy was 11 years old.
He suffered a brain injury on the playing field at school. Jeremy had a stroke, which led to “locked the syndrome”.
Jeremy’s former psychologist, now friend, Dr. Brian Belden, said it was rare.
Belden said he was working at Children’s Mercy for over 35 years.
He said these patients have total paralysis of the body, with the exception of the movement of the eyes. They can’t speak either.
“For 21 years, someone must speak to him first.” How do you feel? Yes, no. He can’t just get someone and say hello how are you, “said Belden. “He must wait for someone to speak to him before he can do anything. I can’t understand that. “
Tyes said they had a communication system before, which only works if the 32 -year -old man is positioned in the right place and that the guards are correctly formed, which takes time.
They said it was a challenge to use, which often leads to frustration.
Belden thinks that the new more advanced version, which uses eye tracking technology, could change the game for Jeremy.
“It would be changing life,” said Belden. “Once this door is open, he can send SMS to people, he can ask questions, he can participate in the conversation, participate in a group. He can be an actor.”
Jeremy writes a book – and wants to be a motivating speaker.
“Giving him his voice is like a small step, but it’s a huge thing because once he has a voice, so where he wants to leave from there is unlimited,” said John.
We asked Jeremy – what this new technology would mean for him.
“He said:” The world is what it would mean for me, “said Holly for Jeremy,” and everyone I know would be delighted not to have to always launch a conversation. “”
Belden said Jeremy’s assessment went well. The next obstacles are approval of insurance and a test with technology.