I am 70-years old and completely lost my vision eight years ago.  I immediately began learning Braille, but didn't like the Perkins Brailler because after typing a page I discovered errors that couldn't be corrected without rewriting the entire page.  Then there was nobody to write, I didn't know anyone besides my Braille teacher who knew Braille.

Because I am a blind veteran, the veteran’s hospital sent me to a blind rehab center in New Haven, Conneticutt.  When they discovered that I knew Braille, they allowed me a choice of blind aids and Rhonda Clark recommended I ask for a BrailleNote.  (Thanks Rhonda.)

They gave me this wonderful device and I contacted HumanWare to get training recommendations. They gave me a phone number in my area for an instructor.  Between Seville Allen (my instructor) and Rhonda Clark, I am able to use my BRAILLENOTE for many things.

First of all, I didn't have to learn to use a computer (I was computer stupid when I was sighted), and SUDDENLY, I could contact my friends and family without talking on the phone.  Also, this device enables me to take classes from the Hadley School for the Blind.  I receive my lessons, by post in Braille, but I can send my assignments and correspond with my instructor via E-Mail.  I am also able to edit whatever I write using refreshable Braille and or speech.  This helps me a lot because I can hear what I wrote and catch errors that I may have missed reading Braille.  This also allows the device to disavow any knowledge of the mistakes I don't catch.

Before I received my BRAILLENOTE, I was becoming a vegetable mentially, expecting answers from my guide dog when having a conversation with it. I'm having so much fun with my BRAILLENOTE now that I've almost stopped listening to talking books, and I realize the dog is wonderful, but it's only a dog.  Sanity returned with my BRAILLENOTE.

I have no problems with my Braillenote, because with the HELP function, the manual, Rhonda, and Seville, everything works fine.  I hadn't intended being so wordy, but I had to tell the HumanWare world how much I enjoy my BRAILLENOTE; and to let you all know how much I'm learning from your messages.

Many, many thanks,

Miss Sammy Clay