Teen invents electronic device to help his friend communicate

Ethan suffered a brain injury in 2013 after being struck by lightning.

After two years of recovering, in October 2015, Ethan finally began communicating using his eyes and blinking.

Jacob always enjoyed programming and designing, so he started working on a “yes and no” LED board to help Ethan communicate better. It took Jacob a month and $60 to develop this device. The message board, which reveals a brightly lit response from Kadish, either "yes" or "no," depending on which way he shifts his head.

“Ethan was in a good mood. We were all around with our friends and family. We tried it out and it was beautiful” said Jen Smilg, Jacob’s mother. “It was the most Ethan’s communicated in 2 1/2 years.”

After word of his project began to spread, a friend started a GoFundMe page for Smilg and his need for a 3D printer to make improvements on the design.

“For the brackets, we could 3D print those to make them really customizable and streamlined to fit on his wheelchair just right,” said Jacob.

Jacob now has plans to program his device so Ethan can light the eighth bulb of the electric menorah on "Eighth night for Ethan,” a fundraiser and Hanukkah celebration at the Rockdale synagogue in December 2015.

More info: https://www.gofundme.com/95d48x5w

Adapted from: http://bit.ly/1m4aIVA

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