Meet Mykola
Fifteen-year-old Mykola has experienced more in his young life than most. Moving from Ukraine to Denmark as a refugee from the war, Mykola faced the challenge of adapting to a new culture and language while living with Leigh syndrome (Leigh disease), a condition that affects his ability to speak, stand, and walk. Until recently, Mykola’s way of communicating was limited to smiles or yes-and-no signals, often leaving him on the sidelines of conversations and activities. Today, though, he’s found a way to share his thoughts, play with friends, and express his creativity, using his Grid Pad 12 with eye gaze technology. When Mykola began studying at school in Denmark, he initially used paper drawings and diagrams to communicate. Fortunately, the school had a Grid Pad device, which they decided to try for communication. This approach showed positive results. At first, Mykola found it challenging, starting with just a few minutes of lessons. However, over time, he adapted, and the duration of his sessions increased. Not long after, Mykola received his own Grid Pad 12. Consultants from Aabentoft (our Smartbox partner in Denmark) helped set up the device, created new grid sets, and provided training. Mykola was given his first sets of symbols in Ukrainian. It quickly became clear that he understood Danish, so Danish Voco Chat was also introduced. This allowed him to seamlessly switch between languages when communicating with friends, family, and teachers. Mykola now had the freedom to tease and laugh with classmates, tell jokes, and share his feelings – something that had been beyond his reach before AAC. With his Grid Pad, Mykola can fully participate in school activities. He’s become an expert at eye gaze, even using computer control to navigate Danish learning programs and practice letters, do crossword puzzles, and follow along in class. One of his favourite games is “King’s Successor” (similar to “Simon Says”), where he gets to play the role of director, giving his friends commands with his eyes and enjoying the shared laughter and fun. Outside of school, Mykola is an artist. Using his Grid Pad, he creates colourful artwork with his eyes. Mykola’s parents print his work onto special paper, turning his creations into greeting cards. For Mykola, the Grid Pad has transformed life from quiet observation to full engagement. Getting started wasn’t easy, but perseverance, training and help from others gave him the support he needed to succeed with the technology. His advice to others? “Just try to talk to the people you meet. We all have something to say; we just have different ways of communicating it.” With his Grid Pad, Mykola’s voice, full of creativity, humour, and determination, is being heard loud and clear. “When we moved to Denmark, we looked for an opportunity to try an eye-tracker for Mykola. Fortunately, the school Mykola started attending had such a device, and we were allowed to use it. It was an exciting experience. Mykola immediately liked the new opportunities it opened up for him. Yes, sometimes it can be difficult. It requires patience and support. It takes time. We (as parents) need to learn as well. You need to be ready for new challenges. But it brings noticeable results. I strongly recommend trying the Grid Pad with eye-tracking for people with communication difficulties. There is no need to rush – it is unlikely to bring instant results. Eye-tracking is not easy, even for a healthy, typical person. Start with simple and fun activities. Even a simple game allows you to build accuracy and develop eye gaze skills. Practice in a calm environment. Gradually add new exercises and make tasks more complex. Learning should not become a boring chore. Encouragement and interest are essential. It is advisable to do this with professional educators and consultants, like Aabentoft in our case. They will always provide help and advice. There is no need to fear the new.” Thank you to Mykola and family for sharing your journey with AAC. Aabentoft is our Smartbox partner in Denmark. They have been supporting people with complex needs for decades. Based in Aarhus with a branch in Sjælland, they specialise in customised solutions for communication, mobility, cognition, and sensory needs. With extensive experience in welfare technology, Aabentoft is dedicated to helping individuals achieve independence and improve their quality of life through innovative and personalised assistive solutions.
Mykola’s family perspective