For over 25 years, Dr. Jessica Nagel built a career in marine and environmental science, diving deep into research, analyzing data, and publishing scientific work. She’s a wife, a mom, and a passionate creator of family photo books. But when ALS began to impact her ability to speak and type, her world started to shift. What remained steady was her determination to stay connected and engaged with the people and work she loves.

Jessica was diagnosed with ALS in 2007 at just 30 years old. “At the time, I was told I probably had three years to live,” she says. “I’m still here 18 years later, thanks in large part to my amazing family and support network.”
In 2019, typing on a keyboard became difficult. Jessica turned to dictation software to continue working and creating. But in early 2025, a sudden tracheotomy left her unable to speak, cutting off her access to the dictation tools she depended on. “That was a huge turning point,” Jessica recalls. “I needed a new way to communicate.”

That’s when Numotion Speech Solutions stepped in.

With help from her consultant Yvonne, Jessica was introduced to the Smartbox, an advanced communication device that uses eye gaze technology to give her a powerful, adaptable voice. “It’s been life-changing,” Jessica says. “I can tell my family exactly what I need, whether it’s about my positioning or medication. But even more, I can have full conversations again. I can text, email, post on social media, shop online, work on photo books, and listen to music. It functions like a regular computer, and I can do it all with my eyes.”

Jessica remembers the first time she used the Smartbox: “I went through over 1,000 emails. I felt so accomplished.” The device even connects to her phone, giving her seamless access to texting and apps.
Her experience with Numotion and her consultant, Yvonne, made a challenging time more manageable.

“Yvonne went above and beyond,” Jessica says. “She visited me in the hospital after my surgery and brought a Smartbox to try. When we realized I wouldn’t get my device for a month, she lent me one for free so I could still communicate. She came to my house to set everything up. She was professional, friendly, and incredibly responsive throughout the whole process.”

Before the Smartbox, Jessica relied on a letter board and others pointing to letters, an exhausting and limited form of communication. “I thought eye gaze might be similar,” she admits, “but I was completely impressed by the technology. It predicts the words I’m typing and even learns my patterns. I can do nearly everything I used to with dictation software.”

Now, Jessica continues to stay engaged, curious, and connected to the world around her, all on her own terms.

“The Smartbox gave me a voice again,” she says. “It’s amazing technology that’s allowed me to keep doing what I love.”