Hi Alisa,

We purchased the MarVision product for a patient here in Jacksonville.  She was an elderly lady who was not interested in a high tech product.  However, she found the MarVision too tedious to use.  We then loaned it to another patient who was much younger, and who also did not want to try a high tech product.  However, she too did not have the patience to use this device.

I was present when we tried to train the first patient on its use, so I was able to witness her frustration and fatigue in trying the device.  I think a large part of the problem is that it requires a helper.  Someone has to turn the pages of the book until he/she finds the subject page the user is interested in accessing.  Both patients in this case were in the hospice facility and I think that hospice nursing staff was more interested than the patients in having this device available to improve communication.

Judie

For equipment loan contact Patti Allman at 888-257-1717, ext. 108 or xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx <mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx>

Judie Benwick, MSH, MPH
Care Coordinator
The ALS Association, Florida Chapter
3242 Parkside Center Circle, Tampa, FL 33619
(Toll-free) 888-257-1717, ext. 112
(Jacksonville) 904-688-0886
(Fax) 904-685-5203

Get ready to slip on your walking shoes for The ALS Association Florida Chapter's Walk to D'Feet ALS®.   To see 2008 dates and locations, visit www.alsafl.org <http://mail.als-florida.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.alsafl.org/> .

________________________________

From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Alisa Brownlee
Sent: Mon 10/1/2007 6:26 PM
To: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Assistive Technology] marvision

Is anyone familiar with this product?

http://marvision.com/_wsn/page3.html

It is a laser pointer to be used with a communication board.

Many thanks for any feedback.

Alisa

Alisa Brownlee, ATP
Assistive Technology Specialist
ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter

Assistive Technology Consultant, ALS Association, National Office

Direct Phone: 215-631-1877

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