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Mark Glass | Diane Sweatman | Charles McMullen

Mark Glass

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1995 when I was 25 years old. I was not able to work and sat around feeling bored.

A year after my diagnosis, my little brother's computer broke down. I told him if he would give it to me I would fix it, and I did. I had no background in PC repair or software, but I had a lot of time. I learned about the ReBoot recycling program in Stone Mountain and called them to volunteer my time. I don't drive anymore, so I had no way to get there until I talked with Lamar Polly. Lamar works at Reboot recycling computers. He said he would pick me up every day, so now I volunteer my days at ReBoot. It gives me something to do, and I never get bored...every problem is different and I always find a way to fix anything.

For the last several months I have been working with Pat Hewitt, a volunteer from Hewlett-Packard, to set up the new ReBoot Life Long Learning Lab so every one who receives a recycled computer will know how to use it. I have installed Microsoft products on all the computers - one lab is for kids, one is for older folks. We have worked on about 55 software course units so far and I am going to help teach the classes.

On one of the computers I customized has Internet Explorer 5 for use by my support group for Multiple Sclerosis. Members will be able to easily find information about Multiple sclerosis, support groups, and help they need. I don't see myself going back to work as my medical expenses are very high - I have had exacerbations of MS where I lost my vision and it came back, another time I lost my hearing and then I could hear again, and once I was almost totally paralyzed. That time, the physical therapist was trying to get to walk better, but I told them to help me use my hands again...I can't fix computers without use of my hands. Every time I have an episode like this and come back, I am a different person than before and I have to adjust to it. But being here at ReBoot has helped me physically...I am almost off Prednisone and am happy. I like helping people for selfish reasons, basically....people at ReBoot ...as long as I am helping people at ReBoot, they need me, and I can see where I am better off than some of the folks who come to ReBoot.

Right now the greatest needs at ReBoot are for funding to purchase 56K modems for recycled computers or 486 computers that can be configured with 336 or lower ISA interface modem. We want all ReBoot participants to leave with a computer equipped with a modem, and right now, that is not possible. We need hard drives (higher end) for some systems and more Pentium I computers.

"Mark has provided incredible support to ReBoot. He knew all the Microsoft products and had taught himself how to troubleshoot problems with software and hardware. He will be teaching ReBoot participants to use Microsoft products in the Life Long Learning Lab so when they go home or back to school they will be proficient in the software they need to know to reach their goals," according to Carolyn Phillips, Director of ReBoot. His email address writer27@bellsouth.net

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Diane Sweatman

I first applied for a ReBoot computer when Reboot opened in March of 1998. Because of ReBoot and the Southeastern District of Microsoft, I now use a recycled multi-media computer loaded with Windows 95 and Microsoft Office. I also use JAWS, a specialized screen reading software package for the blind to that gives me a way to use Windows products.

Over the years I have taken many Hadley Correspondence Courses for the Blind and completed my assignments in Braille. I initially wanted a computer so I could spell check and edit my assignments more easily and mail printouts of my assignments rather than Braille. Right now I am taking the "Introduction to Computers" course and will use my ReBoot computer and Microsoft software to turn in future course assignments just printed out. I also am using my computer to correspond with people even though I am not doing this with e-mail yet.

I used to use DOS computers before getting my ReBoot system, so needed to learn Windows 95, Microsoft Office and JAWS software on my ReBoot computer. Carolyn Phillips, my instructor at the Life Long Learning Lab, coached me on how to use these new tools. I am also going to take a formal JAWS course at the Life Long Learning Lab this fall.

One great thing about ReBoot is you don't get something for nothing. You give something back to the community or to ReBoot or to the Life Long Learning Lab. So I volunteer one day a week to help Barbara Blossom, the ReBoot Receptionist or Carolyn by answering the phone and taking messages on the computer...and ReBoot gets many calls every day...people donating computers, checking on their application for computers, asking for help of some kind.

As a result of ReBoot and especially Carolyn, I reapplied for vocational rehabilitation services with the Division of Rehabilitation Services. I had been on a rehab caseload several years before, but my case was closed when I failed to show up at a meeting I did not know about - I was devastated by this news! Carolyn gave me an opportunity to volunteer and gain valuable work-related experiences at ReBoot, and this bolstered my self-confidence. She kept encouraging me to reapply for services, and when I did, I was re-accepted on to a caseload. My new counselor, Henrietta Archie and I established immediate rapport - now I want to go to work as a receptionist, customer service representative, data entry operator, or in some position where I can use a computer and my new skills.

Because so many children, adults and seniors lack the financial resources to purchase a computer, especially with tools like JAWs, ReBoot continues to receive many request for systems and training. As October 20, 1999, ReBoot has placed approximately 1,200 full computer systems and yet maintains an active waiting list of approximately 500 persons. We are committed to closing the gap by working toward our vision of a world where many barriers are reduced by full access to computer tools.

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Charles A. McMullen, Jr.

In a three-year period Charles was in three accidents that caused permanent and disabling spinal cord damage and learned that he was HIV positive. "When I discovered I had AIDS I was at the point of emotional mania. It was at that point that I learned a great secret. " Greater than the death of flesh, is the death of hope and the death of dreams. "I realized that I had to get back into the mainstream of society...and that meant learning to use the latest methods of doing business, which in today's society, means using a computer."

Charles heard about ReBoot through the Disability Action Center and received a computer in September, l999. "My OS is Windows 95, 2nd edition; my DOS is 6.22. Although I have had no formal training, I am self-taught at this point, I have become familiar with my Microsoft Office 97 and MS Works. I'd like to have voice recognition software because I have severe CTS and arthritis."

Charles' concerns are not for himself alone. He is very active in helping people with disabilities acquire their Social Security benefits so they can become self-reliant. His access to a computer increases his ability to reach out to those who need this help.

"The people with ReBoot have been receptive to all my inquiries about their programs and what is available through their inventory. I cannot read a small screen because of optical impairment; Carolyn Phillips worked tirelessly to provide me a l7" monitor." When asked about possible improvements to ReBoot's service, Charles indicated that more hardware and software from current production, new motherboards and USB support would be welcome. "But I must say how much I appreciate the spirit in which ReBoot operates. I need certain upgrades in soft and hardware, but I have learned so much already on my own...how the overall Windows programs work and much about the WWW. I know I will learn even more in the future because of the efforts of so many wonderful souls at ReBoot. I stand waiting to learn and to pass along knowledge and support to others who are disabled. Without programs like ReBoot and the life long learning lab established by Microsoft, that would be impossible."

Written by Lynda Greer, Board Member of Touch the Future, Inc.

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This page last reviewed August 15, 2006