Listen Up, It’S The Best Gift Ever
There are presents and then there are presents.
“The best gift I have ever received is a basic human ability taken for granted by most people - the ability to speak,” wrote Spokane’s Saralyn Brookfield (with some help from her mom).
Saralyn, 16, experienced a major stroke before she was born.
“I cannot walk, talk or take care of myself,” she wrote. “To tell people what I needed or wanted I had to use pointing, gestures and one-handed sign language and hope someone understood me.”
But this year, that situation changed.
“Thanks to Apple computers and the talented staff at Assistive Technology, a portable notebook computer was created that talks for me.”
The set-up uses picture boards and says “I’m hungry,” “Daddy” and lots of other things.
In addition to the voice function, her computer can turn on lights and other appliances.
“Thank you to all the people who made it possible for me to speak.
“P.S. My mom wrote this letter for me. She says hearing me call her ‘Mama’ for the first time was the best gift she will ever receive.”
* Headlines of the month from The Onion newspaper parody:
“Collectible-Plate Industry Calls for Tragic Death of Streisand”
“Area Man Thinks Girlfriend’s Sister Might Be A Little Cuter”
“Office Pariah Not Invited To Happy-Hour Get-Together”
“Parents Also Proud of Unsuccessful Child”
“Sculptor Criticized For Turning Women Into Objects”
“Auto Workers Strike For More Acrylic Novelty Baseball Caps”
“Guy On Couch A Friend From Out Of Town, Roommate Reports”
“14-Year-Old Collapses Under Weight Of Corporate Logos”
* True or false: “The residents of Whitman County have an unparalleled quality of life and enjoy the benefits of both urban and rural living.” - from a pamphlet produced by the Whitman County Business Development Association.
* Our favorite headlines from the North Pole Tattler (a Christmas tabloid parody produced by Spokane’s Creative Consultants): “St. Nick Ain’t No Saint Cries Rejected Spouse”
“Brave Rudolph Looks Pale & Puffy”
“Toys Could Attack in the Year 2000!”
“Amazing Milk and Cookie Diet Plan — Look Years Younger!”
* Today’s Slice question: Do couples trying to have a baby ever make a special point of trying to conceive on Christmas Day?
Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; fax (509) 459-5098. In its way, the urge to go in for outdoor holiday lights overkill is sort of sweet.