Question:
My creative writing has come
to a standstill because my
hands and fingers are currently
not flexible enough to type.Â
I am trying to find other creative
outlets, but I really love to write.
Any suggestions?Â
ResponseÂ
The symptoms of Parkinsons
can include cramping. tightness
and weakness in the hands and
fingers, making typing much
more challenging.  It certainly
sounds like you are worriedÂ
your creative writing career
is dead because you are having
such a tough time typing on
a keyboard. Â
I have a great suggestion for
you. Actually, it is an awesome
suggestion.
There is another way to write
without having to punch the
keys on a typewriter or computerÂ
keyboard. You can talk into a
microphone and your e-mails,
letters, articles and books will be
produced automatically usingÂ
speech recognition software.
It is simple. You talk into a
microphone that is connected
to your computer. The words
you speak are automatically
translated into written words
and sentences that magically
appear on your computer
screen.Â
Really! If you can talk, you can
write anything to anyone. And I
do mean anything.Â
I should be using speech recognitionÂ
software right now to write this blog,
but I am not. Why? I am stuck
in my old habits of using my
fingers to think. My writing would
probably improve if I started
using my mouth to write. I have
always had a big mouth.
There is a big advantage if
I start talking out my blog
entries and newsletters rather
than typing them. Why? I can talk
much faster than I can type.Â
My Parkinsons Recovery book
would be written in a few days if
I talked it rather than typed it. Â
I need to disclose a little truth
and advertising here. IÂ have not
personally used this softwareÂ
but a friend of mine has.Â
He tells me it works beautifully.
My friend does give me one
warning: Do not look at the
computer screen as you talk.
It is totally weird to read what
you have just said as you are
thinking about what to say
next.Â
AÂ little work on your part
is required before the software
will work. You have to train
the software program to recognize
the connection between your voice
and the words. The creators of this
software accomplish this by having
you read several pages of a storyÂ
so the software can identify how
you say words. The program can
then correctly connect the dots
between what you say and the
written words you are speaking.Â
Once you are set up, you are good
to go.Â
The software is called Dragon
Naturally Speaking 9 at
www.nuance.com/talk.
I just watched a video that
demos the software which is
very informative. Apparently
it costs $100.
The other good news is that
the more you exercise your
voice the better your ability
to speak forcefully and clearly
will become. Â
Sorry. No more excuses for not
writing to your friends and family.
The world needs to hear from you
so start talking.Â
Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery
© 2008 Parkinsons Recovery
  Â