MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Forward of Veterans Day, a brand new piece of expertise is unlocking potentialities for Minnesota veterans with degenerative illness analysis.
Vietnam veteran Dean Duffield is on the Minneapolis VA Hospital for a tune up. His energy scooter does what his physique not can, although driving together with his left-handed joystick can also be turning into a problem.
READ MORE: ‘Sophie’s Squad’ Seeks To Raise Mental Health Awareness In Youth Sports
“I’ve gotten to the purpose now the place my hand nonetheless works if it’s under my waist,” Duffield stated.
And his proper hand doesn’t operate in any respect.
“It will be lots simpler if my legs had gone first as an alternative of my arms,” he stated.
Duffield came upon about his ALS a decade in the past.
“It’s simply been a gradual deterioration from there,” he stated.
Kristin Scheel is an occupational therapist on the VA.
“We get the possibility to actually get to know our ALS sufferers rather well and on a private stage as a result of we’re seeing them so typically, and coping with such actually emotional and generally actually tough, tough issues,” Scheel stated.
Dean Duffield (credit score: CBS)
His subsequent choice for driving the chair independently might be by foot.
READ MORE: Both Sides On Minneapolis Policing Question Sit Down To Forge Path Forward: ‘Let’s Do This Together’
“Kind of jogs my memory of utilizing a skid loader,” he stated.
And when that choice fades away, his eyes won’t solely be his home windows to the world, however his instruments to maneuver by way of it.
The Means Drive is giving Duffield the flexibility to drive with a shift of the attention.
“They appear by way of the display at totally different arrows — ahead, backward, left and proper — after which they’ll drive utilizing their eyes solely,” Scheel stated. “It permits anyone who beforehand might not have been capable of drive in any respect or get round of their group and even their home to all of the sudden have this independence to have the ability to transfer round.”
Duffield is each a quick learner, and a great sport.
“As you may inform from Dean, it’s very taxing. It will get actually tiring in your eyes,” Scheel stated.
Drained eyes, however a sliver of optimism that maybe the subsequent section of his illness will nonetheless maintain a kernel of independence.
“It simply offers him a bit of little bit of hope to type of proceed going,” she stated.
Whereas this expertise is primarily getting used with ALS sufferers, it may additionally work for these with MS and spinal twine accidents.
MORE NEWS: MN Weather: Snow To Fall Overnight, ‘Worst Commute’ Expected Friday Morning
The wheelchair expertise prices $6,500. The VA pays for it so long as it’s medically essential.
