A teenage boy who has lived his entire life with a condition known as Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome has broken his lifelong silence with words which are bound to bring a tear to any mother's eye.
James Walker, who is unable to speak, walk or even move, has uttered his first words with the help of a digital communication device which James controls by using his eyes as a cursor.
Confined to a wheelchair, James was finally able to greet his mother with the words 'Hello Mum' in a life-changing moment which will ultimately give way to increased communication between his mum and extended family.
With the help of both Frederick Holmes School and a Tobii Eye Gaze - James, who suffers from daily seizures, gifted his moment with something Gina was told might never happen upon James' birth sixteen years ago.
"The first words he said were 'Hello Mum' and it was just so fantastic I cried," she said."It's mind-blowing hearing your son speak for the first time, even though it's a computer generated voice.
The special software has helped James' personality to emerge even further, with his bemused mum saying: "He's now told me he doesn't like my singing, and his personality and sense of humour is coming out."
"It made the hairs go up on the back of my neck and it's brilliant being able to have conversations with him," she admitted as she processed the incredible impact the special software has had on both her relationship with James and family life in general.
Explaining that she used present James with two outfits in the morning, the introduction of the software means her son has more choice in the day-to-day running of his own life, "I had no idea if he was looking at it because he liked it or because he thought it was disgusting. Now he'll say 'I don't like it' and I'll have to get him changed again."
Commenting on the software which has changed the life of the Walker family, its developer Hector Minto said: "They've given James core words to get him used to the words and stock phrases for specific situations such as wanting a drink, but the more exposure we can give someone improves their literacy."
According to the BBC, not only has the software improved James' communication and interpersonal skills, it's also had a profound impact on his health as he is now in a position to alert family members to an oncoming seizure.
Reflecting on this incredible development, Gina explains: "Every seizure is dangerous so if I can stop them from being full blown it's worth it's weight in gold."
At a cost of £12,000 per device, much fundraising was done, including participation in the Paris Marathon, in order to provide James with the Eye Gaze - a device which Gina wishes she could have gotten for her son before now.
"James has never been able to make a choice, ever, and now he's able to. I don't think people realise how big a deal communication is. It's been a light bulb moment," she said.
We're wishing James and his family all the best as they reap the rewards of this incredible piece of software.
