While having lunch with a longtime friend last weekend, she told me about one of her heroes, Tom Chau. The way she explained it, Chau’s mission is to give every child a voice, especially those with disabilities who literally cannot speak or write. This seemed to fit right in with a subject I have been studying – that of belonging and connection. I wondered how disconnected these kids must feel, not being able to express themselves in ways that we take for granted.
I had to learn more about Tom Chau and his work.
Tom is a doctor of engineering from my alma mater, The University of Waterloo (Waterloo, Ontario). He was also brought up by parents who encouraged him to make a difference in the world. After graduating, Tom worked as a technical engineer for IBM for several years. After having his first child, he quit his IBM job and is now a biomedical engineer – a pioneer in the field of rehab engineering at Holland Bloorview Children’s Rehab Hospital in Toronto.
Part engineer, part toymaker, Tom Chau’s inventions give kids undergoing severe health crises an opportunity they might not otherwise have: the chance to just be a kid. To paint with no hands, to sing with no voice, to play. And when the very sick child loses the ability to speak, to reach out to his or her mom or dad, when their state of decline severs all ties to the outside world and that child begins to die, Tom Chau’s inventions give them the ability to not be so alone, to not be so afraid.
~ The My Hero Project
An iPod was adapted to allow Jacob to speak. The expression on his face after he first says what he wants to say and is heard and understood is priceless.
I think everyone feels that way when they are heard and understood.
Why do we have this need to be seen, heard, and accepted? Because we do belong and our contribution is vital. Our contribution, our voice, can change the world. Tom Chau’s work is wonderful and important. And it brought up some questions for me. What about those of us who have a voice and can use it? Are we putting it out there in a constructive way? Do we respect, hear and try to understand the voices of others.
A wonderful posting, Kim. I love it when technology can really do something worthwhile – and not just be a plaything for superficiality. How beautiful that these children can have a voice through these specially adapted ipods. The expression on the face of the little boy above is just priceless.