Algonquin teen sees world of opportunities
If you close your eyes when Brad Sanders enters the room, you might be forgiven for thinking you're in the presence of royalty.
"At one time, I understood five languages or dialects," Sanders says in a smooth, dignified British accent. "One more language was an African sign language. A deaf-mute taught me this."
Despite his princely voice, Sanders is a 45-year-old design consultant who lives in Des Plaines. While his cerebral palsy has confined him to a wheelchair and limited his ability to speak in his natural voice, Sanders is able to communicate using technology designed by DynaVox Mayer-Johnson in a voice called "Charles" - presumably after the Prince of Wales.
To demonstrate the many inventions he has strapped to his motorized wheelchair as well as the numerous opportunities open to persons with disabilities, Sanders on Friday paid a visit to 13-year-old Patrick O'Came, a seventh-grader at Westfield Community School who also has cerebral palsy.
Patrick watched as Sanders used a reflective dot on his forehead to manipulate DynaVox software, forming complex sentences and showing a video of himself popping a wheelie in a sand buggy.
"That's awesome," Patrick said, using his own DynaVox system.
Patrick had to endure gentle ribbing from his teachers, who teased him about how he flirts with cute girls at his Algonquin school.
"I don't think so," Patrick scoffed. "We don't see eye to eye."
Joanne Mattes, who worked with Patrick for five years before becoming assistive technology facilitator for Community Unit District 300, met Sanders at a recent conference and invited him to visit Patrick in Algonquin.
"We thought it would be great to get them together to show how difficult it is for people with disabilities to communicate," Mattes said.
At the same time, Mattes hoped Sanders' accomplishments - obtaining a certificate in computer-aided design, learning several languages and helping design devices for his wheelchair, including a solar panel - would inspire Patrick.
"There is life after school with a disability," Mattes said.