When she introduces herself to classmates in her online courses, Heather Baker, 28, begins by explaining that she is able to access the internet thanks to EagleEyes. While her classmates may not understand the EagleEyes technology, they can nonetheless appreciate her achievements; Heather has been disabled since she had a stroke at the age of 12, altering her movement and language skills. Participating in on-line adult education classes offered by "Barnes and Noble University" is thus a significant accomplishment.

As with most users, Heather began her journey with EagleEyes using many of the custom programs - Eye Paintings, Aliens and the like. EagleEyes gave Heather a new outlet to create and play games without the need for hands guiding her movements. These activities also helped Heather to increase her voluntary control of the mouse pointer as she chased moving targets across the screen using EagleEyes. Little by little Heather has developed enough control to use the system for her academic and personal pursuits.

Right now, Heather enjoys using EagleEyes to access the internet. Her favorite activities include searching for music or video clips, sending e-cards or using the Clicker 4 program to compose messages to send via e-mail. Her next project will be to take the information gleaned from these experiences and use it to present activities to her peers in social settings.

"Heather's journey has been a long one, but well worth the effort," says Amy Penniman, of the South Shore Educational Collaborative in Hingham, MA. "Some stages were more painstaking than others, but, looking back over the process, the rewards have been many. The system offers a unique freedom which is not commonly held by folks with these medical needs-it must be wonderful to create and explore all on your own when such an experience has been absent for a period of time."

Heather's next challenge is fighting the fatigue that accompanies the intense concentration her computer use often demands. Heather wants to build up her stamina for the intense visual focus required for longer periods of computer use.

Heather spends many of her sessions previewing educational software for younger students and evaluating its possible uses for others using EagleEyes. Creating lists of commercial software that work well with EagleEyes has proved to be very useful. Heather enjoys being able to work in the role of evaluator and being able to make contributions back so she can help others.

Heather looks forward to each new challenge that is made possible by the freedom offered to her by the EagleEyes system.