Wanted ~

Voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other assistive technology to support troops — soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen — recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Items supplied include: Voice-controlled Laptops, Wii Video Game Systems, and Personal GPS…

Each of the devices Valour-IT supplies helps restore confidence and independence. Voice-activated laptops reconnect the wounded with the world and develop self-confidence by showing soldiers they can continue to be engaged and productive despite their injuries. Wounded service members also use the laptops for education about their medical care or preparation for post-military career. Physical therapists report Wii Sports and similar programs are extremely motivational and beneficial when used in physical therapy settings, though they are not standard equipment in military hospitals. And wounded personnel with short-term memory loss due to TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and severe PTSD use GPS systems to keep from getting lost or disoriented when they move on to more independent living.

• Voice-controlled Laptops – Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.
• Wii Video Game Systems – Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions (donated only to medical facilities).
• Personal GPS – Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD.

Needed ~

$$$ donations from you. There are 3 days left in the 2011 Valour-IT Campaign to raise $100,000 for these technologies. No donation is too large, or too small. I’m blogging for Team Air Force, and we would love your donation added to our efforts. However, feel free to donate to any of the other teams — Army, Navy, Marines — or make a non-specific donation. You can learn more about this effort, or make a donation, by clicking this link. Project Valour-IT

Major Chuck Ziegenfuss explains how Valour-IT got started.

I can’t think of a better way to give back to those who have given so much. Each and every dollar donated to Valour-IT goes towards the purchase of these assistive devices. Please consider making a donation today. Thank you so much.

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