Erin, a 17-year-old with Cerebral Palsy, resides in Warner, Brisbane, with her family. She recently completed her education at Pine Rivers Special School and now attends the Cascade day service, engaging in art, garden, and music programs. Facing communication challenges, Erin's family approached the John MacLean Foundation for funding to acquire eye-gaze speech generating devices.

Previously, Erin relied on Facilitated Communication, limited to home use due to the need for trained facilitators. As she transitions into post-school life, independent communication beyond her home is crucial for her social wellbeing. The Foundation's support allowed Erin to trial various devices, with the Tobii Dynavox I-15+ proving most suitable. Its precision comes with a significant cost, but, with contributions from her family and other grants, JMF provided $4790 towards the device and accessories, including a specialized wheelchair mount.

Now equipped with the Tobii Dynavox I-15+, Erin can independently ask questions, make comments, choose activities, and interact with her peers. This newfound communication capability not only fosters friendships but also enhances her overall wellbeing and community participation.