His "Special Equipment" is basically three units:

1. Origin Instruments' Electronic Head Mouse, which he uses to move/position the cursor.

2. A single-click mouse switch, mounted on a swing arm. He "clicks" the mouse by opening his mouth to depress the switch with his chin.

3. Kenex Discover, an on screen keyboard (Software) from Don Johnston Inc.

All the hardware devices use the Apple Desktop Bus for their interface. The software is compatible with Mac OS 8 and 9. Those were the critical items. Obviously, there were many other hurdles to overcome: in software, in hardware, and especially, in logistics. Most have been overcome; a few still remain. Throughout the planning and delivery, we were in touch with several members of the Staff at LifeQuest, coordinating a myriad of details.

First and foremost, the funding had to be identified. The MLMUG Treasury initially put up half of the total, which was overwhelmingly approved by a vote of the general membership at the April meeting. Most of the rest was donated by the Dept. 7D00 coffee fund at Lockheed Martin (LMC) in Valley Forge. The members of that group enthusiastically supported the project. The remaining funds were individually contributed by MLMUG members, partially offsetting the treasury amount, and by Lockheed Martin employees. These individual donations were largely self-initiated; not solicited.

The MLMUG Board and Members also enthusiastically worked and contributed to make all this happen. We were successful in finding him a used Beige G3, with enough horsepower to stand him in good stead for many years to come. Bill Morlitz pre-configured the OS and installed several of the Applications Richard already owned.

Jan Feigus was our on-the-scene participant. She made several trips to the nursing home, to deliver and install the Beige G3. She performed the remaining software installations and transfers and configured the whole system with all his peripherals and special equipment. A few tasks remain, but Richard's blazing G3 is up and running, and he is one VERY happy, excited, and thankful dude!

Also, Richard is now officially an MLMUG member, with full posting rights to the MLMUG ListServe. He has already sent several exciting, informative postings. We look forward to many additional illuminating posts from him in the future.

On a personal note: This has been one of the most gratifying roles I have experienced as an MLMUG member and officer. Richard's patience, excitement, initiative and energy, were a joy to be part of. The support, advice, enthusiasm, participation, and hard work that MLMUG members (and LMC folks) freely contributed was, and is, heart warming, indeed. Why, it's enough to turn someone into a Non-Curmudgeon!

Moe Comeau- Project Manager

Read about Richard's Medical History in, his own words.