AN EYE-OPENING night of technology and innovation has helped a Leeton organisation become inspired.
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The Rotary Club of Leeton Central recently hosted Peter Ford, the founder and chairman of Control Bionics, an organisation which has developed ground-breaking technology, NeuroNode, which allows people to communicate when they previously have not been able to.
This applies to those who are paralysed, unable to speak, have been diagnosed with locked-in syndrome and many conditions.
Mr Ford was in Leeton to discuss the innovative technology, which is already helping one shire resident - Dean Walsh - to be able to communicate after he was severely injured during a car accident.
His family have also single-handedly donated this technology to hospitals in Sydney for use.
Ninety people attended the Rotary event and were impressed to see just how useful the technology really is.
"Peter Ford told us stories about people who hadn't been able to communicate at all and the difference the technology has made to their lives, and the lives of their carers," club publicity officer Jeanine Bird said.
"Carers who haven't had a good night's sleep for years are now sleeping soundly because the person being cared for can generate a phone call when they need something.
"It simply makes a huge difference to the person being able to communicate, simply by moving their eyes, which the screen reads and calibrates, or by the brain signalling the hand, which may not be able to actually move.
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"This triggers the pulse to activate the screen, write something, or choose a well-used phrase, which it can even 'voice' to those around."
Sometimes, NeuroNodes are funded by the Natiojnal Disability Insurance Scheme, but in other cases they aren't, which is where Rotary is looking at fund-raising to assist anyone who might need one.
"If people know of someone who this could help they could can contact our Rotary club and we can put them in touch with Peter Ford, who will do an assessment," Mrs Bird said.
"Our club will go from there, knowing we have a few hoops to go through at this early stage, but we believe it is possible to help people out with this technology, which truly is amazing.
"Many of Dean Walsh's family and support people were there and testified to the difference it had made to Dean and those around him.
"Our club is hoping it can be a possibility for others who need the technology in the region."
On the night, club president Jackie Kruger the group would start a NeuroNode fund off with $500, plus the proceeds of the continuous raffle from the evening.
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