I Speak Dragon to Improve my Life

Vic M.
I was a student of Fine Arts at the University of Cape Town, South Africa before a road accident rendered me paralysed from the shoulders down. I continued to study through correspondence after my accident, typing out 1000 word essays on the keyboard using a stick in my mouth. Little wonder that I went to bed with a sore jaw and unable to eat until the next morning. A few years ago I took to studying a Masters degree which has been a life long wish of mine. It involved a mountain of work and I realised that I would need to take a risk on voice recognition software to help me deal with the amount of content involved. Learning Dragon has enabled me to save drastically on time in writing text and e-mails and has enabled me to keep up to speed with work and my friends. For me the real value of Dragon has come about in completing my Masters thesis. The length of my thesis is 107 pages long containing 31,736 words.

I certainly would not have coped without the speed and in particular, the accuracy of Dragon. It has literally changed my life for the better and enabled me to achieve what I never thought possible. I now have the belief that I can carry on to do a doctorate and I also plan to write a novel - these are dreams that I had as a youth but thought that they had ended after my accident. It has also ignited my passion for writing again and enabled me to express my thoughts freely. I can now speak an idea at the speed in which it comes into my head whereas before I would lose focus and track of what I was saying by typing letter by letter. Life in a wheelchair can be tedious and is it is important to look after yourself. Unfortunately this means taking things easy sometimes which can really slow one down. I need to lie down at regular intervals during the day and this used to interrupt my work greatly.

With Dragon I am now able to carry on working on my laptop while lying down and my work and productivity rate has increased dramatically - it is the ultimate in hands-free computing. Gaining access to this software has been like winning the most incredible prize. Sometimes people look at my disability and regard it as a tragedy -- but the greatest tragedy of all is not being understood or being able to communicate. Dragon dictate has not only helped me to articulate myself more and more - it has further released me to express my ideas and thoughts at will and revel in the art of the written language. It has truly been a new lease on life

Jacky A.
I began using Dragon NaturallySpeaking five years ago, when my multiple sclerosis had progressed to such a stage that using a keyboard was impossible, as my hands would no longer move. I was a time of serious readjustment – I could no longer do anything for myself, and my computer, a link to the outside world sat dormant, almost goading me. I tried to use a cheaper voice-recognition system, with no success at all, as it required some manual input, and served no useful purpose except to reduce me to tears of frustration. I cannot pretend that training the Dragon was easy. Repeatedly, I felt that my poor brain would explode, and there were days when I refused to look my computer in the eye… I knew that I would see recrimination and taunting, and what I really needed was help and a hug! But as they say, “no pain, no gain.” And it’s true. Every day the vocabulary increased, and every day was slightly less frustrating.

Fortunately, I have learned to be patient – out of necessity – there is no point being impatient when confined to a wheelchair, and with no manual dexterity. But I wanted so much from the Dragon. I wanted to be able to deal with my own correspondence, to e-mail, to surf the net, to shop online, to have some control of my life. Now, five years on, I cannot imagine life without my Dragon. I check e-mail every morning as naturally as I would collect post from the front door; my groceries are delivered to my door, as are purchases from eBay; snail-mail is dealt with in minutes; information is readily available in every conceivable subject thanks to the Internet, I am not isolated. My Dragon is my lifeline. I am more competent and confident with the computer with my Dragon than I ever was when I had the use of my hands.

James V.
I had a motorcycle accident in 1991 and was hit by a drunk driver. I had a full-time job working offshore. I bought a house and was moving into on Friday morning of March 1 1991 and midday myself and my friend went to Inverness to do a monthly shop as we lived and worked in a very rural area in the Scottish Highlands. That evening when we arrived home and friend of mine turned up and stayed for a while and then, later on in the evening I gave him a lift home and after dropping him off about 10 minutes later I was hit by a drunk driver and as a result of this I sustained very severe injuries - both arms became paralysed including my hands, my left leg was badly smashed up below the knee and I had cracked my head open from front to back and was very ill for a long time. Although my arms are still paralysed and now my left arm amputated I am again in full-time employment. I have been using Dragon NaturallySpeaking package ever since getting back into work even though I had never touched a computer in my life. So, I think it is extremely reasonable for me to say that "I speak Dragon" to improve my life to sustain a full-time job which, about a year after my accident I thought would never happen. To this end I can only give high praise to Dragon for giving me my quality of life back which may not have been possible at all had I not have found this package/software. Thank you very much Dragon!

Kayleigh S.
There is a part of me you can’t see, A part of that is hided, A hided disability. When you are put into a world governed by the written word and you can’t understand it, can’t connect with it and can’t decipher it, any thing that can help you reach your fall potential becomes a big asset. I am diagnosed with server dyslexia with attention problems. You may think “Oh only dyslexic” but if I explain what it is like to be a dyslexic then maybe you will understand what the world and life is like for some one like me. Imagine that you were in a foreign country that speaks English but all of the written world is in a language that you cant read, cant write and that you cant learn, you may learn a bit hear and a bit there but never able to completely understand it. Imagine having to relay on others all the time to help you and not always being understanding. That is a little taste of what the world is like through my eyes. Scary sometimes and very frustrating.

However do not despair I have never seen my disability as some thing that holds me back but some thing that I have had to over come partially in the eyes of others. My teachers told me that I was too server to achieve high I proved them wrong and left school with 10 GCSE’s C and above most being B’s and A’s. I then went on to collage and A levels then on to foundation degree and degree (something that many people thought I would never be able to do.) When I was applying to university I found that I was entitled to special equipment and part of that was dragon. I had tried other software before but it didn’t really work but dragon was amazing. I cant put in words want a difference it has made to my life it has given my grater independence and it is easier for my support tutors to correct my work. I have just gradated from university and I wrote my dissertation using dragon and achieved a 2:1 (second from the top grade).

With out dragon I feel that I would not be able to communicate my ideas in the written world with such clarity. I also use dragon when I write stories as I want to end up doing children’s picture book illustration writing and illustrating my own stories. However I also use dragon in other ways if I can spell some thing I can talk it into the computer and then copy it and when I am surfing the internet or email I can use it meaning that other people can understand what I want to say. More then anything it has given me grater independence.

Jon B.
I have used dragon since version 1 when long hours of training and correction were the norm. As a manager in public service, law enforcement, Dragon provided the opportunity to save time when my typing skills weren't required for policing. As my typing skills improved I gave up the early cumbersome and slow programmes but over the past 2 years have revisited Dragon version 9 and use it at home for personal correspondence and a letting business and at work on a laptop. My colleagues are amazed and my productivity, report writing and emails. I will use it to write a novel in the next year and my wife finds it helpful when writing reports as she has dyslexia. Well done Dragon you have vastly improve all aspects of my professional and personal life.

Timothy R.
I first tried out voice recognition software many years ago. Just like the old character recognition software used by scanners, it was often alarmingly inaccurate and, sometimes, downright amusing! About two years ago, however, after 30 years in the communication and environmental consulting sector, my poor old hands started giving up, having being an early adopter of computers and word processors, I was beginning to suffer from repetitive strain injury (RSI). In fact, I was finding it so painful to use a keyboard that I was on the verge of having to give up any direct contact with my PC, which was ruining my life, my creativity and, above all, my productivity. If I did try to type it was frustrating and slow and I could only do it for maximum of one hour a day. I tried everything – I asked my employer about a new chair, a new desk, a new keyboard, a new mouse and then I finally hit on it – why not try out some of the latest versions of voice recognition software? Dragon 9 has saved my life and has enabled me to carry on a full creative and rewarding life and now, as I am about to embark on the third phase of my career in going back into the environmental field at age 51, I’m confident that I will be able to communicate fully in all Microsoft media and without (perhaps unfortunately) the support of a loving and adorable personal assistant!

In view of the fact that I spent several thousand pounds (Sterling) having complex injections of steroids and anaesthetics into my neck, while lying in a scanner (!), to overcome the pain of RSI, I view the small expenditure on your Dragon software to be one of my best investment so far. It is also far more durable than the injections, which lasted only a matter of months. Moreover, now that I’ve read some of the other stories that have been submitted, I’m going to buy a compatible Dictaphone so I can keep working wherever I am, whatever time the day and whatever I’m doing (within reason!!!). Keep the software versions coming, please – they can only get better. Incidentally, some of the most amusing instances of using Dragon have stemmed from the confusion/similarity of various words and commands. For example, I would suggest that any user tried to avoid the use of the word “send” in any email, as it can lead to a far more rapid circulation that you had ever wanted for that unfinished masterpiece of corporate communication... Oops. Tim Roberts, happily in Dragon world

Alic B.
I speak dragon because I am disabled with a chronic condition - fibromyalgia. I have a great deal of difficulty using my hands and arms for a long period of time. I work as a psychologist with people with learning disabilities and enduring mental health problems and have to write long reports, often as part of the legal process for helping individuals to be released from detention under the Mental Health Act. I love my job and wouldn't be able to continue without my pet dragon.

Ronald R.
At the age of 70 I toyed with the idea of buying a computer. However, there were at least two serious problems; first, I was doubtful whether I could cope with the technical aspects; second, I felt that I was too old to learn how to type and I didn't fancy poking about with one finger. One of my interests is Family History,and over the next few years I began to realise that the future lay more and more with information downloaded from the Internet. Fortunately I read somewhere about the advances being made in Voice Recognition. Enquiries suggested that the most reliable programme was Dragon. My son Peter was prepared to donate a computer and to indoctrinate me into its mysteries. I equipped myself with Dragon Naturally Speaking - version 3, and soon I was in business. It was not, of course, plain sailing and though I attended a short course on computer skills, Peter had to rescue me in the early days from crashes and near melt-downs on several occasios.

However, my initiation with Dragon, though entered with some trepidation, turned out to be much more straightforward. Indeed the learning process was quite enjoyable, reintroducing me to a long-forgotten episode from 'Alice in Wonderland', Kennedy's Inaugural Presidential address and several other interesting pieces. Though I have kept up-to-date with Dragon's successive manifestations (plus mobile) I have still to sample the delights of 9 Preferred. Last year when I was aged 83 the 'Manchester Genealogist' published all 7 instalments of my abridged family history 'Always turn the page'. This and various other current literary efforts would not have been possible without Voice Recognition. The magic of seeing one's thoughts appearing on the monitor never ceases to enthrall and inspire. Dragon has thus added a new dimension to my experience and interests. I cannot now imagine what life would have been like without a listening computer; certainly much more dull and unfulfilled. Thank you, Dragon.

Helen S.
My name is Helen Stephens. I am 45 years old, an intelligent black woman. I was the victim of a RTA in July 1999, at 38 which left me with a neurological condition, physically disabled, wheelchair user. I have short term and long term memory loss, chronic pain and spasms including dexterity problems. It takes hours to type and read information. My sister a few years ago was diagnosed with dyslexia. She told me about Dragon. I lost everything, cut off from my world, confidence and communication was difficult. This was the saddest time. My life turned around. I became involved with ideal for all an organisation run by disabled people for disabled people. Elected as a board member and encouraged to promote positively issues faced by all disabled people in-relation to equality, diversity discrimination and oppression. Approx the last four years as vice chair and have represented disabled people all over the UK.

Guess what gave me the confidence and pride to prepare PowerPoint presentation, talks, lectures, email all over the world, and reply in no time and attend high profiled meetings. Proud of what I had achieved using a bled bodied experienced merged with my disability? Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 naturally. Why? 1) I recommend it to all types of disability because from the recorder, training, voice recognition, transcribing and dictation to your lap top, saves time stress and valuable energy needed to recover and rest. 2) Dragon is transferable to meet the needs of not just high profiled businessmen and disabled people. if tweaked with consulting organisations using pictures for learning difficulties, hearing impairment and sign language. It would be versatile throughout all cultures languages, businesses, disabilities. 3) I have recommended this product since its inception throughout our organisation that employs over 45% disabled workers, other businesses and organisations and individuals.

In conclusion Dragon opened a whole new world for me. Due to my condition I’m often bedridden. without this product I could never have found a new life promote positive change and come out a winner, enabling changes where I live and in other counties. The whole package was good value for money. Thank you for both saving and giving my life back. I am proud that I can still help the community. This new life has been largely due to Dragon opening new avenues and opportunities to me. I’m no longer cut off but Helen is back to fight another day thank you once again.

Fay C.
First of all I am almost 70 :-) and I'm one of those people whose children taught her how to use the computer, I'm sure there are a lot of people I do not have to explain the difficulties of the keyboard... chuckle... now on top of that I am a Bridge fanatic, and I play bridge online a lot, how easy it is to be able to chat with my partners and opponents and not have to worry about tapping it out, I can never thank you enough for making my life so easy and so agreeable.

Ian A.
I am dyslexic Dragon has made an enormous difference to my working life to my social life in work I do not have to wonder if my report's I spelt correctly or type them into word and run the spellchecker, which can take hours or get someone else to proof read them. In my social life and writing e-mails to friends which actually reflect what I would like to say instead of brief replies because of the hours would take me typing and spell correction.Dragon has changed my life for the better

Darren A.
I suffer from RSI and have done for quite some time, my employers left me to struggle until I’d had too much time off and wanted to end my contract. Then we found out about Dragon. Now I don't need time off, I can do my job, my accuracy is second to none,. Thanks to dragon I have a relatively pain free work time.

Eugene M.
I Speak Dragon to Improve my Life. Having struggled with, spelling all of my life. And discovering that I would be able to use the computer to type letters and work related documents to improve my productivity and communicating skills, using speech recognition software. Software like Dragon speech recognition has been a major boost to my confidence, and giving me the ability to carry out my work and leisure time more successfully. Regarding work i am able to use Dragon, speech recognition, to create documents which would have been a real struggle previously to to using speech recognition. I am also able to use it to write letters to family and also e-mail. It has also been very useful in maintaining a work related record. Which would be very difficult to maintain without speech recognition software. This is only my example of how Dragon software has improved my life immensely, allowing me to achieve an awful lot more than I would have believed possible, when I tell people that I use such a programme. They tend not to believe that there is such available. It is only when you use speech recognition that you can see the advantages that makes in people's lives and long may it continue.

Paul K.
I have been using Dragon natural speaking software for 10 years now and progress on to natural speaking nine which is a big improvement and I cannot do without it as I have dyslexia it helps me to write my letters for me and also helped me with my college work when I take my laptop with me I can not imagine how I would manage without it now. It's as open my world so I can communicate with everybody on their level without feeling embarrassed about my situation even managing my e-mails is now easier to use where before I used to dread writing e-mails to people because they could not understand what I have written. A big thank you to the people of Dragonnatural speaking for making this possible keep up the good work. All the best from Paul

Jean C.
My 84-year-old mother, who lives with my husband and myself, suffered progressive loss of hearing two years ago and is now profoundly deaf. She also has age related imbalance and two replacement hips and needs a walking aid or other support when moving even the shortest distance. Consequently she is largely housebound and whilst her vision is good and she has all her mental faculties, her loss of hearing has greatly reduced her ability to communicate with friends and family. The use of a white board with rudimentary sign language and lip reading provide some help but communicating with my mother was proving tedious and frustrating for both of us. Fortunately we happened to view an impressive demonstration of Dragon Naturally Speaking on a TV shopping channel and decided this was the way forward. Surprisingly, we were unable to obtain much useful information about the use of voice recognition software for the deaf either from the Internet or organizations specializing in this disability, nevertheless we decided to take the plunge and purchased a notebook computer and Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred 9 Wireless as a Christmas present.

The instructions for installing and setting up the software proved straightforward and after charging the wireless microphone we were amazed how well the software worked when used for the first time. Accuracy and speed of voice recognition were impressive. Now I am able to have near normal conversations with my mother. With the wireless microphone I am able to move around the room whilst speaking at normal conversational speed, my words instantly appear on the 15 inch computer screen using any suitable size font. Rare interpretation inaccuracies can be hilarious and only add to the pleasure of using this amazing software. Dragon Naturally Speaking has transformed both our lives and I feel strongly that more people involved with the deaf should be aware of the vast improvement in this software and it's potential benefits.

Peter S.
My story is I use dragon for utisising speak to text for my deaf wife. I have a split screen tv and I use one side for speaking to my wife and the othwer side for watching tv. it works great and it is at least 95% accurate.the possibilities are enormous for our particular interest. The deaf world is crying out for something like this.keep it coming.

Dawn D.
Dragon has not only been my life saver , but also a career builder. At the last bent of my exam I got a neck and shoulder injury and had a 100 marks final dissertation submition to complete.When I needed someone the most, it was Dragon for me. I dont know what i would have done without Dragon. I couldnot have completed my post graduation without it. I used Dragon and I am extremely happy with it. It has not only helped me in my career it also has improved thw quality of my work. Dragon has made my studies more exciting and my life so much more comfortable, that It HAS BECOME MY SOULMATE and a partner forever. Thank you so much for being there ..... Dragon has made me conscious about my pronunciation, and it has helped me to improve my vocabulary ....It has brought about such an improvement in my life that not writing about Dragon would have been a CRIME ....I owe so much to Dragon. last but not the least, I would also like to thank the brains and behind this software ..thank you so much...... I feel on top of this world to see myself so much improved ...

Ron H.
I speak Dragon to improve my life due to my disability I am tetraplegic due to a road traffic accident in 1985. I start to use DragonDictate in 1990 to do an NVQ in business and Administration which I passed successfully and I have upgraded almost every year with the new edition of Dragon. By using naturally speaking it has enabled me to work once again which I thought I would never do. I work For the NHS in Newcastle upon Tyne as a Work Experience Coordinator and had done for the past 18 years voluntary using this system. I also work voluntary as a secretary for a charitable organisation called the Tyneside challenge fund raising for other disabled people I am also a secretary come fundraiser for another trust called the Mobility Exchange Trust These Are All Located in the North-East of England. I also use Dragon NaturallySpeaking at home I also passed on to as many disabled as possible and try and get them to use the Dragon NaturallySpeaking as I personally consider its the best product on the market at this very present moment, since using the program this has changed my life completely, I feel as if I am putting something back into the community by working, doing charity work, promoting the naturally speaking and just generally being out of the house and getting satisfaction by meeting other people through working. If I didn't use your product I will be stuck in the house just watching TV and doing nothing else what a boring life I would have been doing just stuck in a rut but thanks to your product I have a new lease of life. For that I thank you very much.

Maureen G.
In 1999 and 2000 I was treated for breast cancer. The radiation treatment damaged all of the nerves in the upper right quarter of my body, including my arm, hands, fingers, back...causing severe, unremitting, progressive pain. As I am right-handed, I could not write, so I have been teaching myself to write lefty, and i had to type with one hand. The pain has progressed so that even my left hand hurts after a small amount of typing. After years of frustration with other dictation software, I am finally able to communicate with Dragon 9.5 on my computer! I am able to type, email, research, even write my novels! Thank you!

Jim C.
Yes I do speak Dragon Because of multiple sclerosis I now have little voluntary use of my arms or legs. I have always been interested in computers and so, as my arm function deteriorated I learned to use the emerging technology to help me. First I used " 1 finger" then "DragonDictate" in a number of different forms. I was delighted when this changed to Dragon NaturallySpeaking and I have had a number of versions and I now use Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9. I have not changed yet To Vista because I understood that there was a problem at the beginning. I now use my computer all day every day with Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9. I have tried various different microphones and I now use Plantronics CS60-USB cordless microphone. After some initial difficulty when the battery of the microphone did not recharge over night it now works very well indeed. This problem was sorted out by Plantronics in a very efficient manner. With this microphone I can move away from my computer which is a big advantage to me.

I do not have to have somebody take the microphone off my head every time I want to move. In the past I have used an array microphone and a number of different headsets but this cordless microphone is the best I have tried. With NaturallySpeaking 9 I am able to control all the different aspects of the computer with just my voice. This means I can read the newspaper online, surf the Internet, read books, plays FreeCell and even, unfortunately, lose money on horses. I also write e-mail and the occasional letter to the newspaper. It would be very difficult to exaggerate the independence that DragonDictate with the cordless microphone gives me. Because of disability I also use modern technology to control my environment. I use the Gewa Prog which the speaker telephone to enable me to communicate with the outside world. I also use the Gewa to control the television, video, decoder box, radio and the heater.

Without this modern technology a person with my level of disability would have little alternative but to watch television all day without the ability even to change channels. Thank you Dragon , Plantronics and Gewa. I was fortunate in the year 2000 the Irish Central Remedial Clinic told me about this technology. I would be more than willing to do anything that I can to make this technology known to people who may benefit from it.

Keith J.
I speak Dragon to improve my life because I am dyslexic and cannot spell I found it very hard to communicate with people when I want to e-mail them and write letters I always had to wait for my wife to write the letter for me before I could do anything I have had all of Dragons products Dragon NaturallySpeaking has been the best one yet it has let me do a computer course and a private investigation and course I had 13 distinctions in the computer course the only student to do so. And at top marks in private investigation. people out there with dyslexic and like myself this is the one for you I guarantee it.

Helen L.
In 2006 I was experiencing really bad backache and pins and needles in my arm. The verdict was worrying, particularly as I already have a disbility and following a MRI scan and found out that I had prolapsed discs in my neck with spine asymmetry, aggravated by working at the computer. Could I carry on working? My doctor was clear "reduce your working at the computer and minimise usage of the keyboard and get a voice activated system!" he advised. In this age a lot of jobs are computer based, particularly in global companies, but after a bit of research (I contacted the Thalidomide Trust), I learnt about the Dragon system and was amazed to learn about users who are sight impaired or have no arms and can carry on irrespective. What a revelation! My Company incorporated Dragon into their SAP system and now I'm the leading light in terms of advising others,who for whatever reason cannot use a conventional keyboard. You would be amazed how many people struggle in silence as their condition worsens, unaware of what is out there to help them. It's amazing as sometimes people don't know what to do - they want to support people with disabilities but shy away from the solution or suggest things that are completely unworkable as they have no idea what it's like being in somebody else's body. Without Dragon,I would not have been able to continue working in the role I am currently doing. It has enabled me to retain my skills and use my experience agined ovwer the last 23 years.

Kenneth Q.
Hi my name is Kenneth Quinn and I am dyslexic I have never been able to read or write properly since I was young I am now 62 years old and attending dyslexic classes my brother Thomas suggested they should buy this programme I am using it at the moment to write this letter to you and I hope it is working all great I have noticed once or twice that it doesn't understand me properly but I seem to be managing quite fine with it and my brother says I am doing well I have no being able to send him some e-mails but my problem is getting the program to read e-mails back to me but my brother says he will try and find me a programme to read my e-mails for me when they arrive this thing has really helped me be able to send little letters to my nieces and nephews in Australia and to my brother and sister year in Scotland if I should win the navigator I would like it to be a surprise present for my brother my neighbour is making sure all my wads of correct so please consider me as a winner with your navigator I would recommend this programme to anyone who has dyslexic as it has certainly helped me to be able to write little letters and e-mails my brother sits with me and be trained the program to my voice whenever he visits me we spend one of two hours doing thus anyway I need to go and get my lunch so as I said earlier please consider me for is your navigator thank you and goodbye Kenneth Quinn

Clive F.
Simply imagine this. I am a drofound Dyslexic ! Draggon has opened up a whole comunication media channel to me. Not only can i use it to comunicate surounding work, etc, but the world! I was once on the scrapheap, with no formal quals. Now in my fourth year of study. i use it for exams, revishion, formal (legal) documents and assesments. Just stop to think what it can do for you. Yes its true it takes a little getting used to, it has to get to know you and you it, but it does work, and openend the door allowing me to fill the missing thired of communication. what i mean by this i relied on 1-,verbal comunication,2-, telephone, but missed the third letters, e-mail, etc. I don't need to avoid my third media front anyomre! Less stress, quicker, more easy. Thanks for reading.

Craig R.
i use dragon as i have only just been informed that i am dyslexic although at nearly 37 id wished they had done so whilst i was at school as studying would have been so much easier. books used to scare me and i never spoke of it as id feared my peers would think there was something wrong with me.

Ian B.
As I had any form of dyslexia dragon naturally speaking is invaluable to communicate with the written word. So I can write letters (or rather dictate a letter) so we can communicate important information, or just a nice letter to anyone so it means gives me freedom of communication instead of endless rewriting of letters and asking someone to check what you have written was the only means another rewrite from me as normally there is normally a mistake after mistake. The simple letter for anyone else is a several hours of labour, but with Dragon naturally speaking enables me easily as anyone else can.

Jose F.
My name is José Figueroa. I am originally from Mexico. I came from Mexico about 17 years ago to Santa Barbara California to have a better life. I started working as dishwasher in a restaurant but at the same time I was also going to school to learn English. As the years went by I moved my way up from working as a dishwasher to the assistant manager of the restaurant. But then I wanted to do office work. The doors opened up and I started working in a place called Mcghan Medical entering data al the long. I worked there for about two years but I couldn't continue because I was diagnosed with tendinitis and carpal tunnel. My whole world became darkened. I felt as everything was done for me. I said to myself: Now how can I support my wife? Now what am I going to do? I was also thingking that I could never use a computer anymore. But thanks to Dragon NaturallySpeaking it enlightened my whole world back again. And I went ahead and took a different career and I have now become a counselor.

I am working for a Homeless Shelter and I always use my life story to inspire and to counsel the homeless telling them that nothing is impossible. As I am typing my life story I am using Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Thanks to Dragon NaturallySpeaking you have giving me back hope and I am now able to make more money and to support my wife and I even had my wife to stay home. And every time I notice that somebody is disabled and needs to use a computer I always recomend them Dragon Naturally Speaking and even if they are not disabled I tell them about Naturally Speaking.

Graham C.
I suffer from Tinitus (A noise in the ear) which tends to destroy my concentration and cause extreme stress. By 'Speaking Dragon' using a Headset, I can play the 'masking' sound through the earpieces (which hides the Tinitus noise)whilst dictating my work. Reports, Documents and E-Mails all flow like magic. Thanks to Dragon I have retored my Work/Life balance and productivity.

Peter F. -
I was diagnosed as having MS recently and so I had to give up work and was put permanently in a wheelchair. Also my ability to type was reduced so much as to be almost unintelligible. I communicate all around the world using my computer and so I found that I became totally isolated until my stepson arrange for me to have access to Dragon. I now communicate perfectly adequately by e-mail all of which I dictate. I also am in the process of writing my first book. None of this would be possible without Dragon. When my book is published I will send details to anyone who is interested to encourage sales.

Ian E. -
I left school at age 16 with no qualifications and after a short spell with the Royal Air Force went to work in a factory for 14 years where every day I was subjected to bullying and harassment due to the fact I was not able to understand. Eventually I remarried and began to open up to my new partner that I am severely dyslexic of which encourage room was provided to change career and begin a course with the Open University. In Paragraph To give a better example of how I was treated approximately 2 years before my step mother passed away I was told how proud my father would be of me now. I replied my father called me thick of which the conversation quickly changed. Dragon Dictate has completely changed the world I live in. I am now a graduate from the University of Salford and Open University of which my intention is in September 2008 to start a course in the Criminology at the University of Cumbria. Nor this could have been achieved without voice-activated computer software and if anything I am extremely strong advocate for DragonDictate. Life for me will never be easy but by having DragonDictate has helped me immensely in my career and everyday life. No longer am I afraid to write reports or letters. Only recently I had a senior manager in one of my previous employers use the term 'you're dyslexia' singling me out from other people. Dragon dictate was immediately demonstrated and shown that by my own admission I do have problems with reading and writing. Verbally this is not the case and DragonDictate has helped me overcome this. Whether I win this competition or not is not the issue for me it is a fact that this technology has changed the world I live in four over and if anything I am a strong advocate of this product.

Jonas F. -
Suffering from RSI I bought DragonDictate in -99. Thinking that NaturallySpeaking would be an improvment I bought it last year. My intention was to use it mainly for command and control of Windows. But it was worse, much worse than the old DragonDictate. The old one was usable and the new was so frustrating I quit trying to use it after a couple of weeks. The lack of correction for commands made it just sit there not responding to my commands. Really really useless software. And I did try to put in some text, but as soon as it did not hear me correctly and the editing part started, it always ended with me angry and frustrated.

Glynn P. -
Thanks to natural speaking dragon, I can now talk to people on the Internet, write letters, sent e-mails, write reports and the most important thing in my life at present is that I am going to achieve my overall goal and that is getting my BA degree in social work. Because I have a disability which people cannot see and sometimes they feel that it is not a disability and that disability which I have is severe dyslexia, but now I can write 4000 words assignments, writing a letter at one time will take me a day but now with natural speaking dragon I have no problems at all I don't feel scared it's a great feeling now. and when I received my degree it will be the greatest feeling in the world especially when people have said to me that I will not get it because of my dyslexia.

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