Shortly after I started my new position, I realized that my colleagues might be wondering about the strange beeping noises sometimes emanating from my office. The co-workers in my former division had grown largely accustomed to my vent’s assorted alarms in the seven years I had worked there, but my new associates are still getting to know me and my many quirks. I sent out a brief e-mail explaining my vent beeps when the tube is disconnected from me and is usually no cause for concern. I also pointed out that disconnecting me from the vent is a quick and efficient way to silence me, should they feel so inclined.
In time, I might teach a few of them to drive my wheelchair. My standard response to people who get nervous about crashing me or similarly unjustified fears: “Take a good look at me. You’re going to have to try really hard to mess me up any further.”
I could never get the hang of James’ wheelchair his was controlled by him puffing or sucking on a straw and he used his head to hit the headrest to change modes like to recline his chair… that chair weighed a ton and I was always watching my toes to be sure I had them out of the way… his vent (he weaned himself off of it) was a noisy critter but the cough assist was the hardest thing for most of his staff to deal with… they just had a hard time getting the sequence… he woudl get frustrated and I am sure scared (though he would never admit that) but not being able to breath scares the fire out of me…. so … anyway back to my question of the day… James could not talk when on the vent only when off it… are you able to vocalize at all?
I do bet that you can be a lot of fun to work with … nursing and office folks…
have a great day Laura