Amplifying Her Voice and Independence
Amber’s Story
Diagnosis: Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1| Numotion Customer Since: 1994
Amber has been part of the Numotion community for most of her life. Now 35 and living in Maryland, Amber was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 1 and has relied on mobility technology since early childhood. “I got my first power wheelchair at the age of 3,” she says. “I can’t remember when I was not a customer of Numotion.”
For decades, Amber has worked with Numotion for her Complex Rehab Technology needs. This year marks a new chapter as she begins working with Numotion Speech Solutions.
“This year is my first as a Numotion Speech Solutions customer,” Amber shares. “I am verbal, but sometimes strangers struggle to understand me, and my voice doesn’t project well in a loud environment.”
Amber’s interests and passions reflect her curiosity and drive. She enjoys attending church and Bible study when she is able, loves music and animals, and values helping others whenever possible. She is also deeply committed to learning and creativity. “I have a multitude of hobbies and interests,” she says. “I have four college degrees, and I am currently pursuing a degree in herbal medicine, with the goal of eventually opening my own herbal medicine clinic.”
In addition to her studies, Amber is an avid reader and writer, a published children’s book author and illustrator, and someone who enjoys creating herbal medicine and herb-infused food recipes. “I honestly just love life,” she says, as her plethora of hobbies and passions exemplifies.
Throughout her journey with Numotion, Amber says the relationships she has built with her team have meant a great deal. “Yvonne has been wonderful and so accommodating,” she says. “I love my team very much and am so appreciative of everything they do for me.”
Amber is currently in the process of receiving a new wheelchair and speech technology. So far, she says the experience has been seamless. “I have yet to receive my new wheelchair or device, but thus far, the process could not have gone smoother,” she says.
Technology plays a critical role in Amber’s independence. With the help of assistive devices and eye gaze technology, she is able to complete daily activities, pursue her education, and stay connected with the world around her.
“When I have my eye gaze enabled computer, I truly do not feel disabled. I use my computer even in my bed, and I do everything on it – shop, pay bills, order groceries, socialize, control my environment (cell phone and television, and hopefully my lights soon), attend college online, drive my wheelchair, read, write, everything.”
– Amber
The freedom that technology provides has had a powerful impact on her life. Most recently, Amber has been crowned Ms. Wheelchair Maryland USA and is working towards attending the six-day National MS. Wheelchair USA competition this summer.
“I feel… Free. Free to be the woman God designed me to be, without the limitations that my physical situation and societal constructs have placed on my life from the time I was diagnosed at six months old. I can just be me. That is a privilege I will never take for granted.”
Amber has also experienced the support of Numotion’s service team when equipment challenges arise.
“Numotion has always been great to work with, trying to get my wheelchair and tablet up and running as quickly as possible,” she says. “When my computer crashed two days before this past Christmas, Jeff met me at Johns Hopkins Medical Center where I had a doctor’s appointment, and brought me a loaner computer. Excellent, compassionate service.”
Reflecting on more than three decades as part of the Numotion community, Amber says the support she has received has been invaluable.
“Numotion has been a true, lifelong blessing to me,” she says. “I love, respect, and appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you.”
Learn more about Amber’s story and experience by watching clips of a video she created.
