Meet Claire

Meet Claire

Claire is a 50-year-old Grid Pad user, who lives with her husband Les in their bungalow within the grounds of the Drummonds Care Home in Essex, UK. Claire has Cerebral Palsy which affects her ability to communicate verbally.

Read more below to learn about Claire’s journey with eye gaze and how assistive technology has helped her communicate and live a more independent life.

All about Claire

I love being able to contact family and friends via WhatsApp.
– Claire

Claire is a very creative person who loves art, pottery and painting. She’s also a sociable person who enjoys staying in touch with close family and friends, including her sister Gilly (pictured right). Claire lives with her husband Les (pictured left) who she met at Drummonds Care Home seven years ago. They got married at a nearby church in August 2017.

Claire’s communication journey

Before Claire started using eye gaze eight years ago, her main form of communication was through eye pointing and homemade picture boards. She was then introduced to high-tech AAC and eye gaze by her speech therapist Helen. Claire slowly but surely got familiar with her device and it opened up so many possibilities for her.

I have my Grid Pad mounted on my wheelchair and access it all day every day – it is my lifeline!
– Claire

Claire now communicates with Grid Pad 12, using symbols and text. She’s also a big fan of the Environment Control features in Grid, which she uses to control devices around her bungalow including her TV, radio, lights, Alexa and even her remote controlled vacuum cleaner!

Claire’s communication journey continues to evolve and she has regular sessions with Amalia, her Communication Partner, to help her try new things in Grid and reach her full potential.

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