An Englishman living with rare locked-in syndrome has completed a 50,000 word autobiography, using just his eyes.
Howard Wicks suffered a serious stroke as a teenager in Devon, leaving every muscle in his body paralyzed, except for his eyes.
The book chronicles the years leading up to and after his stroke, and was completed using an Eyegaze computer, a machine that tracks his eye movements.
The software allows the 29-year-old to communicate with others and to write his novel, which took 18 months to complete.
“It was a cathartic experience,” said Howard using the Eyegaze device. “I enjoyed writing it especially the parts I personally enjoyed living myself.
But, like for many authors, it soon became an all-consuming and challenging experience.
“It became a source of stress, as I felt I couldn’t truly enjoy myself until the book was completed.”
“The initial chapter introduces the reader to my life before the stroke, allowing them to understand who I was,” he told the BBC. “The book concludes with my transition from the hospital setting to community life.”
This stroke was a gift, not a curse. You’ve just got to shut out all the negativity and see out the heartbreak, then own what happens next. – excerpt from Howard Wicks
Howard hopes that the book will raise awareness for the nonprofit he founded in 2020, dedicated to supporting other people suffering from locked in syndrome.
“I have established a charity called the Locked in Trust dedicated to empowering individuals in a locked-in state to embrace the fullest potential of their lives,” said Howard.
But, in its first four years, the charity hasn’t achieved the reach or impact he envisioned, which was another motivation behind completing the book—“to propel the charity to the forefront of society.”
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“From the moment I gained the ability to type, writing a book has always been a goal of mine,” Howard said.
“I believed that finishing it was essential for my happiness and personal progress.”
Fewer than 1,000 Americans are estimated to be living with locked-in syndrome, which is less than 1% of stroke victims.
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No word yet on how anyone can read the book, but you can contact his charity and donate if you’d like, at his website.
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