George is unlikely ever to be able to talk following total glossectomy / laryngectomy. We're wondering about using sign language for speed between ourselves, but for communicating with others need some ideas on (portable ?)improvements on pad and paper. The hospital speech (ha ha) therapist has mentioned a lightwriter but we were wondering if anyone has other ideas ? eg Portable Gizmos with speech synthesis ?

My MIL has just found herself in a similar situation. I've posted about it here http://rdoc.org.uk/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/19510549/m/8801031191

We haven't investigated as yet with the SALT's what options there are but looking on the net http://www.ace-centre.org.uk/ seems a good starting point.

MIL is currenly using a Balamory Magnadoodle as she can't use a pen and paper as both arms are still in plaster.

Hi Joy and George

One of my observations with the deaf people here in Singapore is that they communicate with people who can hear (but cannot use sign language) with the text facility on their mobile phones. Admittedly this is a text message mentatlitied society and they are able to "write" extremely quickly - but maybe a solution for George?

regards - Pete

Thanks CLJ and MIL, we hadn't come across ACE.

As well as pen and paper and a magic slate, George is currently trying out a PDA (Pocket PC) / mobile phone (on loan from our daughter's boyfriend) with 'Textspeech Pro' software. This means he can write on the screen, this is converted to type then he can press a button to have the machine speak the words. This is mass market software so is under £200 but is a little limited as more aimed at people who want to upload text and listen to it rather than create speech quickly.
See www.textspeechpro.com.
He also has a 'Lightwriter' on loan from the speech therapist - this is older technology so bigger and heavier but more useful than we expected and the voice (cf Stephen Hawkins) is easier to understand. These can be used with all sorts of pointers etc if MIL can't use the keyboard yet.
The most promising solution may be a PDA with 'Typespeak' software. We've had a demo of this and at the hospital, as they are looking at possible replacements for the Lightwriters for some people, and are expecting a copy soon to evaluate. It's more expensive (£900) but designed for people with no speech and has a choice of much better voices.
See www.touchspeak.co.uk/typespeak.htm. Contact is Richard Hill, richard_hill@dsl.pipex.com.
PDAs can be expensive, but we've discovered that George can upgrade his O2 mobile phone to one (O2 exec, worth about £500) free. There may be help with the cost of the software too, from Speech therapist's budget or government access to work scheeme (George is 52, has his own business providing Turf Consultancy [making the grass grow on golf courses etc]and hopes to return to work if at all possible).
We did get a dvd on sign language as we thought it might be quicker between the 2 of us, but have only watched it once so far.
Feel free to contact me on joy@stca-ltd.com if you want to know more.