Ask HN: Most interesting tech you built for just yourself?

Not sure if it counts as tech, but I created a voiceboard for my mother to help her communicate while in hospice. She had a massive stroke and could no longer speak.

I thought of a tablet app, but the stakes were too high, so it wound up as a laminated paper. You can read about my design decisions here:

https://voiceboard.org

Definitely counts. Very cool.

This absolutely counts. This is such a great testament to how simple engineering and thoughtful design can do good in the world. You're a good son!

Is there a reason besides preventing commercial use that you don't just have a PDF link on your site?

When my sister was in the ICU at a hospital in a big city, I created something similar for her. The nurses complimented me on it and said it made their lives easier, but I was shocked to learn that they didn't have anything like it unless families made them themselves.

I tailor them upon request. I would like to make a self-serve site, but don't have the time or skills. I would prefer to give this away, people are usually in their worst moments, so a little generosity makes me feel like I make the world a better place.

I was shocked to find that out too. A friend pointed out it helps for people on ventilators, was that your case?

Actually, I think I just forgot to put the newer, generic version up on the site for download. Good thinking!

Thanks for designing and publishing your work! I was surprised too, that there is nothing similar when I was at a stroke unit for a relative.

I wish you all the best for your mother. Keep caring for her, before caring for the website.

They make something like that for autistic people and others that are non-verbal. The commercial product, which is essentially just a binder with printed words or pictures, is surprisingly expensive so lots of people DIY them.

Amazing work. Of all the great projects on this thread, this is my favourite

Your website is covered in "contact me", but I see no contact information, and your HN profile is similarly anonymous. Sorry, I couldn't figure it out.

I don't know what skills you lack, but if they're web development skills, and if you want some help with your wonderful project, my email is in my profile. I cannot, alas, do anything about your insufficient-time problem.

This is a wonderful project, I hope someone in the community helps you with a self service version, love the thought you have put into it and Thankyou for explaining the reasoning. You should share this in the Occupational Health community.

They're called PECS, Picture Exchange Communication System. A speech therapist is trained to work with people who have verbalization or accent issues and help them work through them. Or if they can't, suggest PECS so they're still able to communicate.

I found your love for your mom and your dedication to taking care of her to be really touching. This is really wonderful!

Huh. You are right. I think stress and grief caused me to overlook the obvious; - post a 'contact us' if you want people to contact you, and - post a downloadable PDF if you want people to use it.

I guess this is why doctors don't treat loved ones. I was doing outreach, it never occurred to me to go back and check my site with fresh eyes. I wonder how many people I missed helping.

Whoa, whoa, that sounds like you're beating yourself up, and please don't. Maybe I screwed up the tone of my prior comment (if so, sorry!)

A downloadable PDF would be more useful, sure, but already with what's up there, relatively-low-skill users could print the whole page and cut it up. And higher-skill users can read it to follow your thinking to get inspiration and kick-start their work on a similar solution. So even if you never add one more thing to that site, and even if all that happens is half a dozen people a year randomly find it by lucky google query, it's STILL a meaningful contribution to other people that you've made your thinking and your output available. You're already doing good work, both for your mom and for strangers who you'll never know you've reached.

Hugs for you, internet person, and high fives.

And, again, if you want any help with making a dynamic version, hit me up, email in profile. I'd be proud if I got to help this project in any way.

I am very interested in this - my mom has MSA and is quickly losing her ability to talk. Not sure how to contact you, but I'll check the website and your profile again in a bit to see if there are updates

I sent you a message, I would be happy to make a board for your mom!

Thank you, you are very kind! I will contact you shortly, I would love to make this happen!