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Melanie Figueroa has always been very independent, but staying on top of her blood sugar levels was a challenge. When she connected with Carmine Cammarata, a Person-Centered Technology Specialist from YAI’s Center for Innovation, she received a new watch that syncs with her existing technology to more easily keep track.
Facilitating monitoring her blood sugar is just one perk of her personalized tech supplied by the Center. She was referred by her speech therapist, who thought it might help Figueroa hear and see better when she does her online therapy. In addition to her new watch, she also has a new tablet and a Google Nest Hub. Both devices allow her to dictate and add captions, which has also built her confidence for virtual meetings since she’s hard of hearing.
“I had an interview for a job and I had to do it through Teams virtually as well, and I got hired!” Figueroa said.
The new tech has also helped Figueroa in other areas. She loves to use the Hub for cooking, noting the recipes and timer help her multitask. The tablet has enhanced her ability to do her telehealth appointments--she was previously using a phone with a short battery life.
“Now I’m able to connect with my appointments and my doctors,” she said. “When you have an important conversation with your doctor, especially with therapy, I do it virtually and it makes it easier, instead of missing it.”
For Cammarata, watching Figueroa flourish is what the Center is all about.
“It’s been so great working with Melanie, she’s fantastic with tech and picks things up so quickly,” Cammarata said. “She did the syncing with her blood sugar monitor and watch, and she figured it out watching a YouTube video.”