Nuance - I Speak Dragon

dragonstories2011 Posted: 06-17-2011 10:17 PM

rated by 0 users

Dragon has totally changed my life and I can't imagine where I would be today without it. As a young girl with muscular dystrophy, I always wanted to use the typewriter, like my mom did. I didn't have use of my fingers, so my dad took pencils and taped them to my hands so that I could push the keys on an electric typewriter. It was tedious and slow, but I was typing! I could not have dreamed then that something like Dragon would come into my life nearly 30 years later. I received my MS and worked as a rehabilitation counselor for 23 years. In the late 80s I went to an exhibition of products for people with disabilities and I saw a demonstration of "Dragon Dictate." I was in love at first sight! At the time, I was using a mouthstick to press the typewriter keys and I was developing physical problems as a result. In 1994 I got my first computer. I was working with vocational rehabilitation at the time, and they suggested that we try a voice-recognition program for me. That was the day my life changed! I couldn't believe that I could set up straight and speak into a microphone and have the words appear on the screen, it was truly magic (sometimes I feel like it still is). Dragon Dictate took over an hour to train and get set up, and it was weeks before it learned my vocabulary and speaking style so that it didn't make so many errors. I stuck with it though, because it was so much better than pushing one key at a time with my mouth. Over the years I have become very proficient. I have used both Dragon dictate and Dragon NaturallySpeaking software almost every day since 1995. It has allowed me to complete a second graduate program, work as a counselor, Independent Living Specialist and Advocate for individuals with disabilities. It has allowed me to earn money, to participate in community activities, communicate with people across the country and the world concerning issues that I am passionate about and communicate with friends and family. I have even helped others learn how to use Dragon products. Dragon NaturallySpeaking is so much a part of my life now. It gives me self-confidence and makes me proud that I can do at least some things independently in my life. I definitely "Speak" Dragon!