A paralysed man just tweeted for the first time, using only his eyes to write the message. It’s the first time anyone has ever tweeted with their eyes.
Tony Niclinkson suffered a massive stroke in 2005 that left him unable to move or speak. But now he has a way to communicate; using the handle @TonyNicklinson, he said “Hello world, I am tony nicklinson, I have locked-in syndrome and this is my first ever tweet.”
Special software follows the movements of his eyes on a keyboard and converts each letter selection into text and speech. While this is a wonderful development, Tony’s story is pretty bleak. There’s no cure for his condition, and he’s currently petitioning the High Court in the UK to let him end his life lawfully. Despite the gravity of his situation, this could open up a lot of possibilities for communication for other paralysed people. [The Guardian]