ST. LOUIS – It’s been more than a year since the March 2017 car crash that caused the traumatic brain injury of St. Louis police officer Gary Glasby. A pickup truck rammed Glasby’s police car while he was on duty. The officer needed months of physical therapy to relearn basic functions.
“He’s come a mighty, mighty long way,” said Glasby’s mother Michele McCoy. “Four months not talking, four months not seeing, not walking. This is a task that I pray that no one ever has to go through. It has been a journey.”
Speech is still a struggle for Glasby and that’s why speech pathologist Gina Baldwin was teaching him how to use the app she invented, App2Speak.
“Hello, I’m Gary Glasby,” said a robotic sounding voice.
The St. Louis police officer’s introduction to an iPad application App2Speak was going well.
For years Baldwin wanted to help people like Glasby who struggle to speak following a health emergency like stroke, ALS, or brain injury. Working with a software engineer, Baldwin created App2Speak, a customizable iPad application for people who are speech impaired.
At a cost of $79.95, App2Speak is a cost effective solution to a challenging problem.
“For anyone that has a speech impairment for whatever reason, medical event, App2Speak can be your stepping stone or your bridge to communication,” said Baldwin. “I couldn’t imagine not being able to talk and I see the frustration and it’s essential for everyday life wanting to be able to communicate their medical needs, their emotional needs and those that are unable to communicate, it creates social isolation.”
Glasby said he gets frustrated when he struggles to talk to others.
“I can’t talk like I want to. I can’t speak to people. I can’t express myself,” said Glasby.
Baldwin said it’s meaningful that her product might be able to help a first responder.
“I’m happy to see that App2Speak can be a benefit for him when his speech...I’m sorry I’m getting teary eyed...but I’m just very happy you’ll be able to use it,” Baldwin said to Glasby who insisted on a hug.
For more information about App2Speak, click here.
