How Would You Communicate With Those Around You If, Per Chance, You'd Lost Your Ability To Speak Or Write?

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23 Answers

Donna Joy Plattner Profile
You can have your husband write you out cards with sentences on them for instance...I'm cold...turn up the TV... I'm hungry...are you ready for bed...and I love you too....and he will easily understand what you want or need. You can file the cards in a recipe boxes with tabs that you can easily grab.   Djoyful...AND...you could also tape or glue the cards to your desk or a board. Point to the card you and your husband will know what you need.
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Donna Joy Plattner
You must be very dependent on your husband and he should know you better than anyone else does and is there for you...he knows when your tired and hungry and the eye are like the looking glass to your soul and you can even smile with your eyes.
Donna Joy Plattner
You could also tape or glue the cards to your desk or a board. Point to the card and your husband will know what you need.
NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
You rock girlfriend! Thanks & you've deserved all those stars & so much more lovie!!! ♥Nassy
Steven Vakula Profile
Steven Vakula answered
This would hinder the ability to communicate to the ultimate level. What comes to mind first is the manner that has been displayed in many movies and other shows is by the limited one blink yes, two blinks no. But the limitations of even this are vast as how would one say I am thirsty? What is even more disturbing is to realize that even with the ability to speak and write is the fact that someone must be open to and receptive of communications. Some already are of the mind-set and attitude to not accept communications as they already have their own preconceived attitudes. Given that I have this ability of speech and the ability to write, lets face it, a lot of people only hear what they want to hear and see what they want to see regardless of what I may actually be speaking and saying and writing. As such if others are not open to one's communications without their predetermine mindset and attitudes and perhaps prejudices of what one is actually transmitting in their communication. If they are not receptive and open to clarifications of ideas and concepts that are unclear. Then these people will always only hear and understand what they want to hear and understand regardless of the actual communication being transmitted. Therefore communication is dependent more not on how one must communicate but on a receptive and attentive audience that has the ability to receive the communication with an open mind and a concern for the message as opposed to their own closed-mind and an inability to hear what is said and read what is written.
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Jo W.
Jo W. commented
EXCELLENT! What insight!

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Happy Holidays Count!!

Your friend,
Jo
NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
Wow!!! I, yes as in me, am completely SPEECHLESS...lol [literally]...♥Nassy
Steven Vakula
Steven Vakula commented
Thank you!
carrie Profile
carrie answered
My roommate teaches autistic children. For the ones who are unable to communicate with words, they have cards and pictures to point to so they can show people what they want. Some of them carry around laminated cards on a key ring that they can show to people. They have phrases (and pictures for the ones who can't read) that they can show people. Inexpensive and easy to modify. Hope that helps. And incidentally, get the people around you to learn sign language. And if you have any little ones around you, teach them. Kids pick up languages--especially sign language--really quickly.
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NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
No 'lil ones, but great advice to everyone here lovie!!! Thank u so much...♥Nassy
brii Grant
brii Grant commented
That is excellent and very great that someone teaches those kids because sometime the world is cruel and won't help anybody but themselves you know
brii Grant
brii Grant commented
Christmas yay lets give ! Yayayayayayayay have a wonderful holiday!
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
I know some sign language and well I would improvise and write with my feet... If I lost both write with feet sounds good lol... I have long finger like toes...
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NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
Easier said then done dear...I cannot even write w/ my left HAND...lol...thanks...♥Nassy
brii Grant
brii Grant commented
I can pick things up with my feet and sometimes i try to write with it and its not that hard
NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
Really? Well, after a stroke one's toes/fingers just don't seem to be the same...sensation-wise...but I do thank you lovie...♥Nassy
John Profile
John answered
Special glasses with a optical reader hooked up to a computer with a voice synthesizer....a puffer(a device you blow air through to direct which key you want to hit) hooked up to virtual keyboard on a computer and then it synthesizes your voice or send mail,print it out, what ever you want..they could even rig up a control to any part of your body that still moves to allow direction of a pointer or reader.....i can't think of the guys name right now but he is a super genius that is stuck in a wheel chair but he controls his chair with a joystick pushed by his head and uses his computer with a puffer device...hawking....
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John
John commented
Your welcome nascarnut.....it's amazing how far they(inventors for the handicapped) have come in their inventions to solve the problems of assisting them in regaining their lives.....I especially like the wheelchair that climbs stairs and stands the person up so they can get to things out of reach when sitting down.....now all they(the inventors) need to do is get the price down so everyone that needs one can have one...later
NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
Yes indeed...I've seen that [the wheelchair climbing stairs etc.]...& I strongly agree with you about prices!!!...♥Nassy
Anonymous
Anonymous commented
Stephen Hawkins is the genius that communicates and gets around puffing and pushing. No one mentioned the companion dogs that are trained to take care of the handicapped.
Jo W. Profile
Jo W. answered
Hi love!

This is an interesting yet tough question.  

Are we to assume one's hands have been lost due to an accident (heaven forbid), illness, or paralysis?

If one of these are the case, I should think that one would have to rely on those closest to them, those who seem to know what you're thinking before you even realize you're thinking it (kind of the way we are with our beloved husbands, Nassy! LOL), perhaps a dear friend, a relative or a significant other who is sensitive to your needs and feelings.  In the absence of such a person/persons, I guess I would just hang around and wait until my caregiver finally understood the rules of the game and got the picture!

Thanks for such an interesting and perplexing question, love!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah to all!

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NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
I, too, am perplexed by my own situation dear...lol...♥Nassy
Jo W.
Jo W. commented
I didn't mean any disrespect, Nassy, it's just a tough place to be, isn't it? I'll be sure to let you know if I think of anything worthwhile.

Jo
NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
I know that sweet♥ and none was observed [[[hugs]]]...♥Nassy
nettie Profile
nettie answered
For you lovy I would learn it again I had a friend a long while ago that could not speak and she was my friend she ended up married and we lost touch but it is worth it for a friend and good to know period but I suppose to keep it up because unless you are around someone you don't use it and you lose it,but for you yeah,heck yeah will learn all over again.....
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brii Grant
brii Grant commented
Cool!
NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
You are a strong woman full of faith & for that I offer you my sincerest "thank you"...♥Nassy
nettie
nettie commented
There is a device out that you can blow in that types out the words or letters for you like one blow for a two for b etc,I have seen these on TV.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
People who can't speak do hand signals what they call "hand speaking" and they use body language too.
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NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
Are you referring to sign language, lovie? If so, I am asking for myself, a young woman who knows signing but nobody else does...open to suggestions my dear and thank you...♥Nassy
brii Grant
brii Grant commented
True but I would try to teach them and if the did not understand I would create a common ground
Onetwo Bucklemyshoe Profile
Sign language, gestures, facial expressions, help and support from family/friends?

Oh wait, I know...A VOICE BOX!!! Yes, that would solve it. Those machines that speak for you when you type in phrases. Bingo.
Hello Boss Profile
Hello Boss answered
I would have to assume that I would have to have suffered a stroke to be in such a state. Therefor I would probably, also, be confined to a wheelchair. So, with all this in mind, I would probably carry a baseball bat, and use it, when necessary, to gain attention to my needs. I believe this would be a very effective way of communicating.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Everyone agrees that you would be dependent on someone else no matter which solution you come up with.  I like Djoyful's answers on cards in a box.  Our family knows a lot of sign language.  Years ago one of my girls thought it would be a neat way to communicate across a soccer field.  We all learned simple phrases.  It is easy and the gestures themselves sort of act out the message.  I think everybody gets five stars for their answers.
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brii Grant
brii Grant commented
Thanks but that is really neat of u to make simple gestures to communicate tht is so awesome!
NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
If only I could give ya'll more!!! [[[hugs]]] Thank you dear...♥Nassy
amala Profile
amala answered
Well if it was me....
First with a smile...
Second with body language.... It is more comfortable (well.... I am)
then if i am able to write, then yes last resort is typing... I can use device like notebook or even a PDA to type thing out... I can do this even if the hand and fingers are unable to be used..

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NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
Please enlighten me sweet♥...do you type with a pencil in your teeth? If so, how would one hold the device?...♥Nassy
amala
amala commented
Teeth... Or legs i guess... Yeah that's right but if come's to that i would rather use body language it is more comfortable to use at the same time a makes the one who are communicating close..intimate
Plus it is more fun like that...
martha Profile
martha answered
I would learn American sign language.  We have a deaf ministry at church, with sign classes for those who wish to learn how to sign.
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martha
martha commented
I live in Independence, Mo. I am a member of 1st Baptist church of Raytown Mo
NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
Any idea how far you are from Osage Beach sweetie? [I have no clue as I am a newbie to Misery...lol]...♥Nassy
Jo W.
Jo W. commented
From what I found, Independence, MO is located about 175 miles from both St. Louis and Kansas City and about 10 east miles from downtown Kansas City (and in close vicinity to the Truman Sports Complex), so they're about 185 miles apart.

Hope this was a help, Nassy!
brii Grant Profile
brii Grant answered
I would ... Uhhh well first I would tell that is a hard question well let's see ... Well I would act or sign language
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NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
I sincerely appreciate every single comment left by you my angel...you truly do live up to your real name, my friend! [[[hugs]]]...♥Nassy
Angie Vera Profile
Angie Vera answered
It's all in the movement Body language can attract people as well communicate w/them.  Kissing,hugging,handshake etc.  There are many ways to communicate through body language.
Drummergal Profile
Drummergal answered
I think mostly with my eyes and hands , my eyes seems to talk more and shake my head some -- I know me and I'm sure to get my point across - lol

Good question NASCAR

Asuka Jr. Profile
Asuka Jr. answered
Actually Nassie, dear... Nomad1 has a point. The man in question is Stephen Hawking. He is a brilliant theoretical physicist who is nearly completely paralyzed and wheelchair bound. This does not keep him from traveling around the world giving lectures and teaching, as well as the work he does on his own.
The video Here shows him asking some 'Big Questions' and giving his knowledge of our current understanding. While he has pre-written the portions of his speech, it is not one continuous paragraph, so each time you hear him pause, he has to activate the next paragraph. This is done through the small device you see attached to his glasses, as well as a very small tube he 'puffs' air through to indicate an 'Enter' or 'activate'. He is also quite capable of carrying on a regular conversation, but they usually do not show that process, as he has to pick and choose his words from the tables of terms in his speech synthesizer and the process can be quite slow.
However since the question was not "How would you make public speeches if you lost..." but how to communicate... A system of this sort is quite current in technology, and is perfectly capable of giving a person who can move their eyes and puff air through a tube the ability to both speak, and control external devices (Dr. Hawking moves his own chair around, thank you very much)...

I think if I were in that position, it would depend on how much mobility I DID have left, as opposed to what I had lost. If I could even move one hand and one finger of that hand (I'd certainly prefer two...) I'd arrange to have a mouse or other control device attached to a laptop computer with numerous pages of words and have not only the software to synthesize speech but also to add the words I click into a sentence until I click the 'Talk Now' icon... Such a system would not give me anywhere near my current ability to orate, but would let me get my point across.
If I could still type, (even if slowly) I'd probably just use any one of the many programs that are available for very little money (and many of them for free) that convert typed words into speech. I used to live in a shared household with a 74 year old man who thought it quite funny to enter offcolor comments into such a system and play the resultant voice saying them through the (rather large) stereo speakers in his room... (^_^)

Technology has come a great distance in the field of communication for the seriously handicapped, and I'd certainly want to take advantage of anything I could afford to obtain to make it easier to communicate. My thoughts trapped in my echoing skull?? Certainly not! I'd HAVE to find some way to let them out to cause those around me the confusion and fear they so justly deserve!! Bwa-ha-ha!! (evil laughter, if you didn't notice) (^_^)

That's my two cents' worth. Hope it gives some food for thought...

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NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
Yummy...Yes ma'am it is very helpful & I sincerely appreciate your time and patience answering my question sweetie...[[[hugs]]]...♥Nassy
josh deng Profile
josh deng answered
If that thing really happened, I think I'd like to try my best to communicate with others by my action. I mean I would avoid "saying" something as much as possible, I would just do something, do something to express myself. :)  sometimes I feel I have said too much, while done little.
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brii Grant
brii Grant commented
What i would simply do is talk as softly as i can and do my best just like you said :)
NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
[[[hugs]]] Yes dear, it happened to me...I suffered a stroke & was paralyzed from the neck down but was able to pull thru and have recovered everything except my ability to speak & write. I love your final line in your answer;spoken as a true philosopher...♥Nassy
josh deng
josh deng commented
Thank you , :0)
crystal malcom Profile
crystal malcom answered
You can figure out different ways to communicate with the people  around you  because you already have  different signs for things and don't realize it already
Jacquelyn Mathis Profile
You can work on a question basis, blink once for yes, two for no, or you can use a typing method if the hand/s will cooperate, or even work on the speech therapy. All in all though, I think Celticgirl said it best. Sorry I can't help more on this one.
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NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
I've 'done' speech therapy now for a total of 3 yrs. & lotsa $$...♥Nassy
Jacquelyn Mathis
Jacquelyn Mathis commented
Perhaps find a new therapist, and hopefully one who is into more cutting edge therapy, no pun intended there.
Katrina Ferguson Profile
Learning the alphabet in sign language so that way you can talk with just one hand.

That's all I can think of.
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NASSY NASCARNUT
NASSY NASCARNUT commented
I have known signing since I was 10, prior to my stroke, but nobody else knows it lovie... :p ♥Nassy
Katrina Ferguson
Katrina Ferguson commented
I am sorry I learned to sign (just the alphabet tho)a friend of mines daughter was deaf mute so that way I could talk to her some

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