[NFBofSC] I Can Connect article about one of our own

[Shannon Cook]

This is great.  Thank you for sharing the article.  Who knew Ernie was a
celebrity??

Shannon Cook

 

 

 

From: NFBofSC <nfbofsc-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of NFB Lab 4 via
NFBofSC
Sent: Wednesday, May 5, 2021 2:10 PM
To: 'NFB of South Carolina Mailing List' <nfbofsc at nfbnet.org>
Cc: NFB Lab 4 <nfbsc.lab.4 at gmail.com>
Subject: [NFBofSC] I Can Connect article about one of our own

 

This article came out last year, but this is the first time I saw it.

Go Ernest.

 

Thom Spittle

 

iCanConnect Helps South Carolina Man Stay in Touch with Family and Remain
Independent During COVID-19 Pandemic

April 28, 2020



Like most granddads, Ernest Gallman couldn't wait to meet his youngest
grandson, Carson, when he was born last month. Unfortunately, due to the
COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing guidelines, Ernest was not able to
meet him in person. "Of course I was sad I couldn't meet my grandson in
person," said Ernest, "but with everything that's going on in the world, it
was safest to meet him virtually. I did a video call with my daughter while
she was feeding him and I could listen to him coo, cry, and burp using my
Bluetooth headset. It was nice!"

The 69-year-old Columbia, South Carolina man began losing his eyesight at
age 10 and has experienced progressive hearing loss over the years. Now, not
only does he use the equipment he received through iCanConnect, also known
as The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program, to keep in touch
with his family, it's also a lifeline to the essential goods and services he
needs to remain independent during these challenging times. "My laptop is
invaluable," said Ernest. "I use it to order groceries online and have them
delivered to my house. And if I can't get a delivery, I email the list to my
daughter and she shops for me and leaves the necessities on my porch."

In fact, Ernest recently used the equipment he received through iCanConnect
to help solve an issue with the thermostat in his home. "I got a new,
digital thermostat and had a hard time adjusting the temperature." said
Ernest. "Instead of waiting for someone to come help me - especially right
now - I video chatted with my granddaughter and she was able to walk me
through using it and helped me adjust the temperature. It was easy!"

Before Ernest became an iCanConnect participant, he used an older flip phone
and laptop to stay in touch with his family and friends. "I was pretty good
with the flip phone," he said, "but when I received my new smartphone,
Bluetooth headset, and computer through iCanConnect, it was so much easier
and faster to get in touch with my family. The equipment and training I
received through iCanConnect really changed my life," Ernest continued. "It
made me more independent, and I hope anyone struggling with independence and
isolation won't be afraid to reach out and get more information about the
program. With everything that's going on in the world right now, I can stay
independent and stay connected with my family. I still can't wait to meet my
grandson in person! Hopefully it'll happen someday soon," he finished.

 

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