Assistive Technology Sparks Hope for Molly’s Safety, Parents’ Rest

You can barely get her to say hi, says Teresa Moberly of daughter Molly, but at school, she pinches the kids’ noses and gives high fives. “The kids just love her.”
It’s been eight years of restless nights for parents Roger and Teresa of Auburn, and at times Molly’s siblings feel frustrated and uneasy because they can’t do certain things because Molly can’t.
At four months old Molly had a terrible reaction to her DPT shots, resulting in episodes of Grand-mal seizures. Over the years, these seizures have affected Molly cognitively and continue to interfere with her day-to-day functioning. Today Molly is nine-years-old and experiences seizures almost every night. If Molly doesn’t come out of the seizures within a certain amount of time, medical intervention is needed or she could die. In order to keep an eye on Molly’s seizure activity and respond if a seizure occurs, her parents have continued to sleep with her.
After several years of attempting to get funding for Molly, HHS Service Coordinator, Heather Krieger, mentioned Molly’s situation to David Altman, ATP Technology Specialist. David recognized how critical the situation was and asked the family to complete an ATP Service and Device Application Form. From information provided, ATP’s Funding Coordinator determined that the Aged and Disabled Medicaid Waiver could be a potential source of funding. Once funding was approved, David visited the Moberly home and talked to the family about their situation to help him understand what the family needed. David recommended a signaling system to maintain Molly’s ability to function safely in her home and to enhance

her independence.
The signaling system that David had set up for Molly includes audio and video output that runs through the television sets located throughout the Moberly home. A camera and transmitter are located in Molly’s bedroom. A receiver and monitor are located in the master bedroom.
The system was installed in the Moberly home last September to allow Molly to be seen and heard when sleeping in her own bed. However, movements and actions during recent seizures have caused Molly to turn into her pillow. Molly has not slept on her own

yet, but “that’s the goal,” says Molly’s mother, “we’re just gun shy at night.”
The system has proved to be most beneficial during the day. When Molly takes a nap, Teresa can go elsewhere in the home and not worry about running upstairs every so often to check on Molly.
ATP’s goal is to help initiate an opportunity, whether it is through technology or other supportive services, for the Moberlys to reach their goal. “It’s serious,” David said referring to the situation the family is facing. “We may need to revise the system so there is a stronger audio output. The audio transmitter is on the ceiling and it may need to be moved closer to Molly.”

Above: Molly Front, Center with her older siblings. left Top : Camera and Transmitter located in molly’s room.
left Center: Camera view. left Bottom: REciver and monitor located in the master bedroom.

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