This was posted on http://www.qrz.com
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posted by wpeloqui on Monday January 14, @02:03PM from the communication dept.
Steve (kc5tha) writes "This happened to me!
On June 16th I was diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome and spent 3 weeks on a ventilator. I was totally paralized. One night about 11:30, I was having a bad time, not being able to talk or communicate. I thought if I could get my elmer(Mel Oubre n5jcg) of Meridian, Ms. to come to my room, I just might be able to communicate by the means of cw. I moved my lips to my wife and tried to say"get Mel Oubre now". Finally after three tries my nurse understood what I was saying.
About 30 minutes later Mel appeared at the foot of my bed. I could only wiggle my toes and move my head. When I wiggled my toes, Mel grabbed them and I began sending him a message. I sent his call then mine. He understood everything I was saying and after a short qso I signed with him and went back under the medication and was happy to be able to finally talk with someone.
While many hams that do not like cw or use it for what ever the reason, I am living proof that even in the worst of situations, when tubes are in your throat and every where else, you can always count on cw for a great way to communicate.
Thanks Mel for the many hours spent teaching me the code. I never new it would mean so much to me. If you know it, use it. If you know someone that you can be an elmer to, teach them.
-- ... ...-- Steve"