While I agree, the ideal is to have a patient turn it on or off, that is not always possible. Sometimes PALS need a solution immediately and using alternative lasers is good in that situation. Or perhaps they live in an area of the country that does not have a professional that can adapt a laser. So, although we strive for the ideal, some folks can't get access to that, so I think we always need to consider all avenues. Thanks, Alisa Alisa Brownlee, ATP Clinical Manager, Assistive Technology Services ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) Association National Office and Greater Philadelphia Chapter Direct Phone: 215-631-1877 ________________________________ From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Amy Roman Sent: Wed 3/9/2011 6:36 PM To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: Laser pointer Hi Alisa, Sounds like a good solution. I just really like the pt to be able to turn the laser pointers on and off themselves for two reasons. 1. When a partner is talking the pALS looks at them they end up zapping them in the eye with a laser beam. Even the eye safe ones feel uncomfortable to have shined in your eyes. Also, I have worked in facilities that are nervous about lasers in their staff/pt's eyes and I am afraid if the laser was on all the time (or when not directly being used for communication )it would cause them to say no to the whole solution. 2. When my pt can turn the laser on and off, their communication partners know when they have something to say and when they don't. Otherwise I find after a while no one is paying attention to where a pALS is pointing his/her laser. When he turns it on though it is like an announcement that he is joining the conversation. When he turns it off it is a clear message and no one needs to ask "Are you still spelling something to us???" Sincerely, Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP Augmentative Communication Specialist Forbes Norris ALS Research Center 2324 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94115 P (415)600-1263 F (415)673-5184 CONFIDENTIAL OR PRIVILEGED: This communication contains information intended only for the use of the individuals to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or exempt from other disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any disclosure, printing, copying, distribution or use of the contents is prohibited. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone or by returning it by reply email and then permanently deleting the communicationfrom your system. Thank you. --- On Wed, 3/9/11, Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: From: Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: RE: Laser pointer To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 3:07 PM I use ones for boar hunting rifles. They are small, like a pencil. Once you turn them on, they stay on for the day. Some folks take them apart and reconfigure them--Margart Cotts may have instructions. But I am not handy like that, so I use the hunting ones. (I pay $39.00 for each of them. Buy them at Walmart in the sporting goods section) A Alisa Brownlee, ATP Clinical Manager, Assistive Technology Services ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) Association National Office and Greater Philadelphia Chapter Direct Phone: 215-631-1877 ________________________________ From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <http://us.mc812.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Erin Singleton Sent: Wed 3/9/2011 5:46 PM To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <http://us.mc812.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Laser pointer Hi everyone- Can someone suggest a place I can get a laser pointer that turns on and off without requiring hand usage. I know someone had told me about a kit a while back. Someone also mentioned hunting stores selling them?? Erin Singleton M.A., CCC-SLP Neuroscience Outpatient Rehabilitation Center 2335 East Kashian Lane, Suite 301 Fresno, California 93701 Office: (559) 459-6056 Cell: (559) 250-1949 Fax: (559) 459-2957 Email: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <http://us.mc812.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> ________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------- WARNING/CONFIDENTIAL: ------------------------------------------------------- This email, including attachments, may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law (including, but not limited to, protected health information). It is not intended for transmission to, or receipt by, any unauthorized persons. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you believe this email was sent to you in error, do not read it. Reply to the sender informing them of the error and then destroy all copies and attachments of the message from your system. Thank you.
