Smart Technology allows a woman with locked-in syndrome to complete a degree

Mumbai: Dawn Faizey Webster, 42, during her pregnancy suffered a paralysis attack due to which she was left with a locked-in syndrome. In the condition, a patient is fully aware and awake, but they cannot move or respond verbally because of complete paralysis of almost all the muscles in the body.

However, Webster against all odds, worked with her illness and achieved a 2:2 degree in Ancient History. In an interview with MailOnline, Faizey Webster said, “I felt I needed to prove to myself and to others that I was still me, Dawn”.

Since Webster is unable to move or verbally communicate, she was fitted with a laptop that allowed her to communicate by blinking to select letters and type at a speed of 50 words an hour by using buttons on either sides of a specially designed headrest to move the cursor backward and forward. She told MailOnline “[My computer] is my lifeline. Never did I imagine when I got pregnant with Alexander(her son) that my life would turn out like this”.

Smart technology allowed Faizey Webster to beat the odds and pursue her dreams. She now plans to study further and embark a Masters in History of Art.