Smart devices help me make my house a home

“Alexa, turn off the alarm.”

“OK. Good morning, Connie. Would you like to hear an inspirational quote?”

“Sure, Alexa. Go for it.”

“All right. ‘There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs.'”

“But Alexa, I’m in a wheelchair.”

“I cannot help you with that.”

As a child watching Hanna-Barbera’s “The Jetsons,” I don’t think I ever really believed that in my lifetime I would have my very own robot. But in the past 30 years, smart devices have evolved at a startling rate, and here I am with a small silver tower on my bedside table that wakes me up every morning with snarky comments like this. Say what you will about smart devices, artificial intelligence, and technology at large, but as an adult who lives on her own and has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), I feel it has all been a tremendously helpful gift.

I own a little two-bedroom, one-bathroom condominium in the Midwest. I have written previous columns about all the ways my friendship caregivers assist me at home, from cooking meals to helping me take showers, and everything in between. But I do have an independent streak, and I like to think there are some things that I can do by myself, without help.

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Having SMA means I cannot stand or walk, but it also means I can’t raise or reach with my arms, lift anything of substantial weight, or grasp very tightly with my hands. Because of this, true independence is found through my mind, voice, and the limited use of my fingers. My smart devices help me leverage these strengths to feel more self-sufficient, even in small tasks.

For example, I can open and close my front and back doors with an easy-press fob button. I love the freedom of going outside whenever I want to bask in the warm sunshine, go for a walk, or breathe deeply the cool, fresh air. I also love being able to open my door to welcome people in, especially new friends or mom friends whose six arms are all full!

Another smart device I’m thankful for is my kitchen trash can. I can just wave my hand in front of the lid and it pops open. It may not seem important to most people, but I actually like having the dignity of throwing away my own trash: snotty tissues, soiled napkins, outdated to-do lists, and embarrassing first-draft notes of my columns! I’m proud to say that my smart trash can also provides hours of entertainment for my little friends, ages 2-10.

My laptop and smartphone are also vital tools I use for work, shopping, and communication. I struggle to grip a pen to write, but I do really well with typing on a keyboard, and when my fingers need a break, I switch to voice-to-text mode.

I use my Amazon Alexa device to set my morning alarm, make grocery lists, play music, and keep reminders, which are all very useful tools for my busy schedule. But the thing Alexa is most helpful for is turning the lights on and off. My bedroom, guest room, and living room lamps are all set up with smart bulbs, so I can save energy and also have sufficient lighting whenever I need it.

Finally, I have a partner device to Alexa: my Echo Dot (with a cheeky Australian accent) is set up in my guest room. It allows my overnight caregivers to control the light in that room, but it also acts as an intercom if I need my caregiver to assist me during the night.

I know there are many other amazing devices out there that people use at home to make their everyday life easier. Maybe you have some that I didn’t mention here? If so, share it with us in a comment below!

Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.