A few years ago, L.M.* was in a terrible car crash. She was sitting in the front of the truck with her baby niece and her sister. When she realized the impact was coming, she wrapped her body around her niece. The maneuver protected the infant from harm, but left L.M. with a serious head injury. L.M. has not been able to talk and has only minimal movements since the accident. She had been living at nursing homes until, with the help of several advocates, she was able to move into a house with a great view of the mountains in Santa Fe. (The Medicaid Developmental Disabilities Waiver gives L.M. round the clock staff to assist with her daily needs).

An anonymous computer guy who has a lot of experience with disabilities had heard that this young woman could use a computer. Although L.M. has not been able to talk or move to take care of her daily living needs, with the right keyboard and positioning in her wheelchair, L.M. can type and express herself very well.

The incredible computer guy whipped up a special computer for L.M. with several programs in it, including a word processor and a modem for future on-line possibilities. Folks from the New Mexico Technical Assistance Project (NMTAP) hooked up the fancy keyboard.

Moving L.M. from the nursing home and securing her wheelchair took quite a bit of time. Several months passed until all could be accomplished. During that time one of our state's best advocates for people with disabilities and L.M.'s dear friend and teacher, Cathy Gaines, died of heart disease. Perhaps Cathy would smile knowing that L.M. has been seen at her home computer typing up a storm to her staff, friends, and family.