Nina’s story: How assistive technology is improving her quality of life
Mariam Gelashvili’s baby girl, Nina, suffered from birth asphyxia and spent 1 month in the intensive care unit and consequently losing function in her arms, legs, and neck region. Soon after leaving the ICU, she started to receive rehabilitation therapy for quadriplegia.
Nina, now 8 years old, has severe motor impairment, cannot speak, and struggles with holding her head up, sitting up, standing and walking independently. Despite her disability, she attends a public school in Tbilisi, Georgia, and completed first grade this summer. Mariam tells us how assistive technology (AT) and communication devices have played and continue to play an essential role in improving her daughter’s quality of life.
Assistive technology improves communication and social interactions
Nina has excellent cognitive skills. She now relies on 2 different speech-generating devices to communicate with her peers at school. Nina was 4 when she started using an eye gaze device. Although the device helps Nina communicate her needs, her poor vision does not permit her to spend more than 1 hour a day on the tablet.
She also uses cards to express when she is hungry, wants to go outside, or watch TV. These devices allow her to share several pre-recorded messages by just tapping on a large, coloured button. Mariam has programmed several greetings, questions, and answers within the device to facilitate her social interactions. “Every morning, I prepare new recordings, which also include information about her previous day, so that when she is asked about it, she can respond easily,” says Mariam.
Consort World changing lives in Georgia
Limited access to AT and the lack of trained therapists with knowledge in this particular field remain challenges in Georgia. Consort World has been a renowned and trusted name in AT and eye tracking since 2006 in the Middle East and North Africa. With financial support from Consort World’s Managing Director, Camille Matta, Mariam founded Consort Georgia to support Georgian children with special needs. Recently, the nongovernmental organization joined forces with one of the biggest local rehabilitation centres, the Ken Walker University Clinic for Medical Rehabilitation, to provide children with AT-aided therapy and training for health workers. The Ken Walker Clinic now hosts Consort Georgia, and together they are increasing awareness of and access to AT across the country.
Article:
https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/24-06-2022-nina-s-story–how-assistive-technology-is-improving-her-quality-of-life