Sharing Stories
A FOOT IN BOTH WORLDS
Mary Lapos, from Danville, Pennsylvania, has put together a wonderful collection of stories about facilitated communication. The very personal accounts appearing in A Foot in Both Worlds are written by FC speakers, families, friends and facilitators. Lapos ties these stories together very well with her chapter introductions and editorial comments.
We were very pleased to see that two people from Maine contributed to this book. Sally Comeau and her son Craig described some of their experiences with facilitated communication in a piece entitled "Just Beginning." While he expressed some regret for some lost time, Craig typed "no sorrow for past my time is now."
Before FC was introduced, Craig learned to use a VOIS machine. This was helpful, but as Craig later typed: "the VOIS was a good idea, but too limiting." He never used the machine spontaneously.
Sally was skeptical at first about Craig's use of FC in school. After working with Craig's speech and language pathologist, Sally began to type with Craig herself. lnitially, things went slowly, but Craig and Sally's conversations eventually became more spontaneous.
Craig continues to be frustrated at times because, as Sally says, "his body won't do what he wants it to do." But there have been a number of positive changes in Craig's life. More speech is emerging. Craig is more social, makes eye contact for longer periods, and participates more in the life of his family.
Craig says this about facilitation: "talking is only one way people present information. talking isn't possible for me. the facilitator is really not typing for the person. Only I'm sure there just my ideas. important usually trusting the facilitator. Independence is my goal. I hope people stop their disbelief nuthing only fc is your certain hope for this boy. ask usual beliefs be kast aside. otherwise no hope for the future for people with autism."
For more information about this book, contact: Mary Lapos,
Facilitation Supports, Inc. RR1, Box 146, Danville PA 17821.
The purpose of Facilitated Communication In Maine is to promote the appropriate use of facilitated communication through education, technical assistance, and support to people with disabilities, parents, educators, speech and language pathologists support providers, and other interested individuals. The project provides up-to-date information on current best practices, introductory and advanced workshops on the technique, resources regarding theoretical and practical components of facilitated communication and ongoing support to a network of resource persons who provide local education and support to other facilitators.
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and in pursuing its own goals of pluralism, the University of Maine shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or citizen status, age, disability, or veterans status in employment education, and all other areas of the University. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. This publication is available on audiotape and upon request this material will be made available in other alternative formats to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities.