Inside Our Minds
Your hosts, Ashama and Robbie, want the world to know that their disabilities don’t define them.
Inside Our Minds
EP17: Adaptive Technology
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
This week, Robbie and Ashama share their experiences with adaptive equipment and how it helps them live more independent and successful lives. Ashama also talks about her dog, Piper, and the special ways Piper helps her every day. We also discuss how technology can be used in a positive way to improve lives.
Visit our brand new website here:
InsideOurMindsPod.com
Follow us on social media:
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/share/1HE3gapUrK/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/insideourmindspod?igsh=ZTQ1bmt0aWU0ZTM1&utm_source=qr
TikTok-https://www.tiktok.com/@insideourmindspod?_r=1&_t=ZP-93cNr8KYKad
YouTube- https://youtube.com/@insideourmindspodcast?si=DY0AAmK6P96w4b8p
Email us Stories, Questions, or just to say Hi!
InsideOurMindsPod@Outlook.com
Welcome to Inside Our Minds Podcast. I'm your moderator, Aaron Collier, and I'm joined weekly by two amazing co-hosts, Robbie McIntosh and Ashama Rucker. Robbie has autism and Ashama has Noonan syndrome, but that doesn't stop them from living life on their own terms. Every episode, we take you into the minds of Robbie and Ashama as they share their perspectives and experiences as adults who don't let their disabilities define them. Keep listening to be inspired.
SPEAKER_05Good morning and happy Monday. I am Aaron Collier with the two best hosts in the whole entire world. Robbie Macintosh. And we are back for episode 17.
SPEAKER_00Hey. So many episodes so far.
SPEAKER_05I know, right? And it's very, very, very exciting. And I we were just talking about Friday's rock. Friday's absolutely rock. I was thinking last night, it's like, what I gotta do today. And I do have something cool. We got a playoff baseball game today. But you know what I was most excited for?
SPEAKER_01What?
SPEAKER_05This podcast.
SPEAKER_01Yay!
SPEAKER_05Super excited for this podcast. Uh I love spending time with y'all. I love recording these episodes. And I think we got a really, really good topic. But I mean, before we jump into that, how was y'all's week? What'd y'all do?
SPEAKER_00Oh, oh yeah, yeah. Um, so so so basically, yeah, I I always look forward to Fridays too. My favorite day of the week, first of all. Uh this week, what did I do? Um so I went Monday was Memorial Day. Of course, uh, lots of people were not working somewhere, but others weren't. It was Memorial Day on Monday, and um I uh basically was, you know, spending m some time in my apartment, and then later on in the day, you know, me and my parents and my brother and sister, me and my family rather, went to uh I think it was Hollywood Cemetery to see some um graves of people that died in wars in Vietnam and all that. And we I got to be able to put some flags next to any to the graves that really um are are are important to us or ones that have value. And so that's what we did. And we did that, and then um I guess after short shortly after that, um I uh had the opportunity to um visit my um we had our church missionaries over, elders and sisters. And so um we got to um have them over for dinner and and they and they gave us a lesson and we had to cook out uh with my parents. It was a blast. I had a really great time. That's one thing that happened. Other than these things, day program and work, you know, that's pretty much been the highlight of my weekend and a sham and I cooked as well.
SPEAKER_05Well, dude, that what you did on Monday is freaking cool. Because I mean that's the thing about Memorial Day. A lot of people don't even know what they're celebrating, right? And we're celebrating the the fallen soldiers who have given their life to this country and fight for our freedom. So the fact that you showed the respect and kind of went and saw all that firsthand, like that's really, really cool, Robbie. Super, super cool. And the thing Robbie also, I mean, I'll I'll give him credit for this. So he he planned a uh Memorial Day cookout. We got really, really bad rain. So we actually pushed it to today. So it's cool. Like Robbie is he he hosted the whole entire cookout. They're meeting today at four o'clock. He's got his burgers, hot dogs. You got a bunch of friends coming over. So are you excited for that?
SPEAKER_00Oh, yeah, yeah. I'm I'm very excited. And and since it's not Memorial Day, I I almost always thought instead of it being a Memorial Day cookout, how about I just name it beginning of summer uh pool party or cookout or something like that?
SPEAKER_05Hey, it's your cookout. You can name whatever you want, my friend. Whatever you want. That's what I'm seeing. Oh, Shama, how was your week?
SPEAKER_01This whole week was amazing because all I did was sat in the house, relax, chill, watch the rain come down, and you know, listen to the thunder and lightning, and you know, it was amazing. Then last Friday we c uh me and Robbie cooked baked spig uh spaghetti. And yesterday I made a homemade uh potato salad.
SPEAKER_05So is that what you're bringing to the cookout?
SPEAKER_01Uh I'm thinking about it.
SPEAKER_05I know y'all were doing a pool party. Y'all gonna play any pool games? Like sharks and minnows or water. What's it called what's the Marco Polo? Marco Polo.
SPEAKER_01I'm not gonna be able to get in the water until after I get my um what's the name situated?
SPEAKER_05Oh, okay. Okay. What about you, Rob? Are you gonna play any pool games?
SPEAKER_00Um that that that's that's a good question. And and I'd I I'd say, you know, um part of the reason I plan events like this is not just because of the getting of beginning of summer, because once summer rolls around, which is my favorite time of year, I want to take full advantage of being in the pool and what when it's here. I think uh I think I think I might play some games, um, you know, uh and it's it's whatever people would want, so to say, or if not, probably relax in the pool and move around the water, which is pretty much what I like to do in a swimming pool.
SPEAKER_05Yeah, 100%. Me too. So, guys, that's awesome. Sounds like y'all had a really, really good week. Y'all ready to dive into some questions? Yes, sir. All right, let's do it. Well, it sounds like it is time to uh welcome you inside our minds. All right, let's get into it. So last week we actually talked about kind of the negative effects of technology. I know that wasn't specifically what we talked about. We talked about, hey, what could we do to make the world a better place? But it kind of the things we we dove into a lot was technology, right? Because let's be real, it can be a very negative effect on humans. But there's also some positives about technology. So that's what we're gonna talk about today. How does technology positively affect y'all in y'all's lives? And what type of adapt adaptive equipment do y'all use or adaptive emotional support animal do you use? You know what I mean? So I figure we could dive into that and have like a little positive technology conversation. Sound good?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, all right.
SPEAKER_05Well, let's do it. Robbie, how do you use technology to positively impact you?
SPEAKER_00Well, you know that that's that's a very good question. And and I I I think I I use it to positively impact me in a number of ways. Um, one way is so um staff has encouraged me. I can remember when Leah was working with us with L and R, you know, she encouraged me to, you know, put reminders in my phone. Like I get those notifications say like every day at six o'clock, take out meat to to cook with with Leah, but tried to set it to only on Mondays when we cook or Sunday nights or whatever. But there are just a lot of the I think the positive things I've seen about technology is that you know, uh there are a lot of calendar apps, or there's a built-in calendar app where you can make a schedule, you can um put in reminders, and every time you put in a reminder, it's set to remind you at a certain time and it will remind you to do things. And I I think the more you have reminders put into your phone or anything scheduled into your phone, it can it can basically keep you on schedule and keep track and all that sort of thing.
SPEAKER_05Yeah, no, great answer. I 100% agree with you. I mean, if if I didn't have my phone to have calendars and stuff, I would never know what's going on in a day. And that's one of the first things I do is check my calendar. You know what I mean? So great answer, Robbie. Ashama, how do you use technology to positively impact?
SPEAKER_01So I use Alexa. Um, when I didn't have the iPhone, I use Alexa to remind me of what time to take my medicines. Yep, that's awesome. It will go off. Let me know, uh, to take your medicine at a certain time. And you know, and it's uh amazing. And then I also use it for the ring camera. It lets me know who's walking past my door. Very, very smart or who's at my door.
SPEAKER_05Yeah, dude, that's awesome. Man, and it helps you feel so much safer too. Yes. So that's I I have the ring camera and stuff at home. And I mean, if I didn't have it, I definitely wouldn't sleep as good as I do. I mean, it's just such a good tool.
SPEAKER_01And I even have a ring in my bedroom to make sure Piper is safe. And you know, because I keep my eyes out on her too.
SPEAKER_05Yeah, dude, that's awesome. Robbie, second question. What adaptive devices or things help you get through everyday life?
SPEAKER_00Well, um, I can easily answer this question. So um, you know, it all started, I guess, when um I, you know, was I kept being either late today program or late for my ride. And I had a driver that would frequently say, What happened? Why were you not getting up on time? And I said, you know what, I gotta take this seriously. And and this, and this is a solution that I have because it's can solve all your problems. One thing I started doing some time ago was using my Alexa, but I couldn't like do anything with it for a while because it was hooked up to my mother's account. And I asked mom to remove my Alexa from her account. And so basically what I had to do is reset my Alexa all over again. And ever since then, ever since then, I've been I've been having music to wake me up early in the morning, like, and it it doesn't have to be a like country or rock song, it would be any other random song, sometimes kids' songs. And it would play for about an hour, and in and then for a while, Alexa would say it's you know, 7 13 a.m. It gives me the for weather forecast for the day. And then uh basically, you know, it will say, Here's your latest news update. So I would do that, listen to music, listen to the uh weather, and listen to the news to help me get about my day through the Alexa app or through Alexa. That's what I've used Alexa for.
SPEAKER_05Yeah, dude, very, very cool. And I mean, that is outstanding. And it sounds like that the Alexa almost kind of helps you get into those positive routines in the morning. You know what I mean? The other thing you use for Alexa, I mean, I'll give you credit to it for it too. Like, let's be real, when you started, you weren't the best cleaner in the world, but you've gotten a lot better, like a lot better. I think part of the reason is like when you use your Alexa to listen to podcasts, when you lose your Alexa to listen to music while you clean. Like, I think that's kind of something that helps you even in your cleaning process.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah, yeah. So and I I think part of the reason why I move slow when I clean is because basically I've not been good at listening to music when I, you know, clean or don't really have the energy. But maybe now given your recommendation, I better listen to stuff like that every time I do deep cleaning and stuff like that.
SPEAKER_05Look, I've been around you when you use music and I've been around you when you don't. I feel like when you do use music, you are grooving a little bit, your head's bopping a little bit. It actually, like I know sometimes you're like, I'm so tired when I'm cleaning. Maybe that's what that music's for. You know what I mean? Get you going a little bit, wake you up. Maybe start it when I even though I'm tired. You know, exactly. Ashama, what adapted adaptive devices or things help you get through everyday life?
SPEAKER_01Man, I listen to music every day. Every day, every every morning. If I like yesterday, I listened to music. I blasted music. I was listening to um Aaron. Um, he made a song called Um, I forgot the name of it, but I listened to it. And so I turned it up and I jammed to it, my cleaning my apartment, making the potato salad. That's all I'm sitting out there dancing. I don't know if the people could hear it on the outside, but yeah, I was just jamming.
SPEAKER_05But you also have an emotional support dog.
SPEAKER_01I also have an emotional support dog. She's also my uh my help. So when I have her, when I'm not cleaning or nothing, I have her out the cage, I play with her, I spend time with her. Um, she helps me through everything. She gets on the bed, she wants me to pet her. She knows when I'm feeling down, she knows when I'm sad. So basically, it's good to for me to have uh an emotional support dog. It always gonna be there.
SPEAKER_05Don't you also? So I know we're talking about technology. I know you went to Petsmart, you found like a really cool collar. Don't you have like an app that you can like trace Piper?
SPEAKER_01So yeah, so basically, this wasn't from the app, it's called FI Collar, and you get it through the internet. So basically, like if she was to run off or something, they I can um I have the app to trace where she's at. That's cool. Uh it goes around, so she doesn't go out off site, it'll tell me where she's at, but it'll say, uh, she left 5220. So this on that. So then I added gotten another one. I got her a crumble. So, like in case if she was and somebody finds her, my information will be up on there too. So I got just multiple stuff this on.
SPEAKER_05Very, very cool. Very, very, very cool. All right, Robbie, question three. What was super challenging before you started using adaptive equipment?
SPEAKER_00And I think I can easily answer that question too. And it and I think it all started, I think I'm not sure if I I don't remember very much if I've used adaptive equipment early on in my childhood or before I moved here or not, but I do remember a time reading from my school notes that, or parent teacher notes rather, that there was a student who would uh not basically make noise, but he would scream a lot. He would scream every day in class and no lie, it would hurt my ears. It would hurt my ears every day. And so, um and and I didn't really tell my parents about this, but ever since then I've been begging them every day to have me stay home from school. And then the last time I ever told them that, I said, My mom asked me this question, what what is keeping you from going to school? I think what it was was it was something be along those lines. And I said to her, What if my friends are too loud? And she said, Can you give me a specific name? And I told her who the student was, and they started having me uh they started buying me headphones or noise canceling headphones to wear um so that um I could block out the noise and and and don't be distracted by that. So so anyhow, long story short, I when I heard a noise like that, a student be too loud, I started, you know, cut covering my ears and started putting my headphones on. I think there might have been one instance when people would be too loud, I'd, you know, start to get aggressive or put put their hands on them or something like that, and and or do something that I know I shouldn't do. But if it but yeah, anytime students would get too loud, you know, I'd put my headphones on to not hear their noise. And I think that's the only time I can remember a first time using adaptive equipment like that.
SPEAKER_05Well, no, that I mean that that definitely makes sense. And I mean that's what adaptive equipment is for, right? So it sounds like that loud noises kind of make you anxious and part of my autism, yeah. Right. And so since that happens, like the the headphones kind of soothe you and calm you so you don't get as anxious or get worked up from those loud noises. And I um I've actually I see a lot of people with autism kind of use headphones, and I mean that that's a perfectly that's a perfect explanation now. Like I understand, you know what I mean? Pretty natural for those people. Yeah, yeah, you're right. Um, Oshama, what was super challenging before you started using adaptive voice?
SPEAKER_01Um getting angry and getting frustrated um with people and I would just go places and be by myself because I didn't have a phone then, I didn't have headphones, so I really didn't have nothing.
SPEAKER_05You had no escape.
SPEAKER_01No, so basically it was just hard for me, and it was the the challenges that I was going through back then.
SPEAKER_05Yeah, no, that a hundred percent makes sense. I mean let's be real, like we talked negative effects last week, but I mean it can be used in a positive effect. Like I know, like if you're I can't imagine like if I was super, super frustrated and then I just had to go be in a room by myself. Like, you know what I mean? Like you can use adapt equipment on your phone as like positive stuff. Like now you can read Bible verses or you can use your calming app. Like there's so many things you can do. Like, because if you were just alone and frustrated, your mind's just gonna stay spiraling on that one thing.
SPEAKER_01And I didn't have a phone back desk.
SPEAKER_05Yeah, but that's what I'm saying. So, yeah, using using the phone for positive stuff like that. I mean, yeah, that's that's awesome. All right. Last question, Robbie. I know you have a lot of apps on your phone, you have calendars, everything. What is your favorite adaptive app?
SPEAKER_00To be honest with you, I it's it's either gonna be well, I if I had to pick one, it would be userv because um number one, I don't use Uber a lot because the rides can be are more expensive compared to Userv. But anytime I want to get somewhere and no one can't take me, or if I want to go to church on Sundays and my parents are busy with people getting rides, or just in case something comes up and they can't take me, they have me use userv. And and I and ever since about a couple years ago, I started using that, but you know, it it can only limit you to certain places in the county, can't take you everywhere you want in terms of personal trips, but but it's pretty cool, you know. I used to call them in order to schedule rides only, but but now they've added the app version where you can just schedule rides. And ever since I heard that you could schedule through the app, I was super blessed because I even worked with it a number of times and it was absolutely super cool to do so. So I'd say the Userv Ride app is my main favorite adaptive equipment app to use because you can easily schedule rides for yourself or trips for yourself when whenever you want, whenever you want, or something.
SPEAKER_05Yeah, so I mean that's that that dude that's the cool thing about userv and having adaptive stuff too. Like, I mean, it's like sometimes with having autism, it it stinks because you're not able to have your license, but it's almost the same as having your license because you can go wherever you want. You know what I mean? You can schedule a ride, you can go wherever you want, you can do whatever you want just through that app. So that is such a cool app.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, but only thing is it won't take you everywhere in Richmond or everywhere in the world.
SPEAKER_05So yeah, that's the thing. Well, there's other transportation stuff for that too. So uh Ashama, what is your favorite adaptive app?
SPEAKER_01Calm Health.
SPEAKER_05Okay, walk us through that. What's that?
SPEAKER_01So Calm Health is based on the insurance, and they give you a code and you just sign up and everything for it. So it's like if you get depression or anxiety or whatever, so once you get on, you do the the reading exercise, and then they're gonna ask you how your day was, and you know, and stuff like that. So you can put, yeah, my day, I was happy, and you know, it's the most amazing app. So when I seen it, so and I called my insurance, I said, Oh, so y'all got this app for free. And then they were like, Yeah, so okay, so I need an app. I activated, they helped me sign up to it because they have a code for me to get on it, and so and it's been helping ever since.
SPEAKER_05That's really, really cool. That is really, really, really cool. I could use something like that, kind of like just like a daily, like before you go to bed, kind of load up that app. Like, is that where you use it?
SPEAKER_01So I use it during the day.
SPEAKER_05Oh, okay.
SPEAKER_01Or anytime that I feel like if I fell down, I use it anytime. And I just go straight to the app.
SPEAKER_05Wow, that is really, really cool. Well, guys, that that wraps up our question, and I love that conversation because last week it was very like trending, hey, negative, negative, negative. And yeah, let's be real, like there's very negative things about technology, but today, like as you know, it's there's a lot of positives, right? There's a lot of positives if we can if we use it right, which we're gonna use it right, you know what I mean? We're gonna use it right. And um, I mean, I I just think that was a great, fantastic conversation. And now guys that listening that might be kind of in similar shoes as you, now they might know about the UServe app. Now they might know about the Calm app. So yeah, so if Calm and Userve, you are listening, feel free to sponsor it. No, I'm just kidding. So you got any closing statements?
SPEAKER_01Uh my closing statement is if you're using anything that is on your phone, and if you're uh frustrated, put some music on and listen to some music, and it will help you get through your day. Or if you have like a booklet for mental health, go through it and see what your day was, how your day is, and if you want to talk about it with somebody that you could, but always don't ever hold stuff in, always let it out. Because once you hold a lot of stuff in, is a is a Anger then you ain't gonna want to do nothing or talk to nobody about it. So it's better for y'all to be uh able to be able to talk, just listen to music. You're a music lover, listen to any type of music. Music helps me clean, music helps me cook. I just be feeling the vibe.
SPEAKER_05So yeah, oh me too.
SPEAKER_01If y'all, if I could do it, so can y'all.
SPEAKER_05Dude, I'd be lost without music.
SPEAKER_01I mean, when I'm I and I listen to not just gospel, I listen to the gospel hair pop.
SPEAKER_05All the tasks that I can't stand, music makes it better. Like when I clean, music, when I fold laundry, music. When I do yard work, music. You know what I mean? It just kind of gets me.
SPEAKER_01When you go for a walk, music music. When you go to the store, music. When you go into somebody's apartment.
SPEAKER_05Could you imagine riding in a car without music? That's the thing. Like we're so used to it, right? Like we're just driving. But can you imagine if everyone just drove in silence? Like it'd be so boring.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, like I'd be riding in a car in the Uber and they'd be listening to their type of music. So I'm like, okay, I'm gonna listen to mine. Yeah. Because I got the gospel hip hop. And you know, because I listen to gospel, because that's what gets me going. I have to have my gospel first before I get to anything else. And if it's not like praise and worship or it's like the gospel hip hop, like um Jordan Armstrong and Uncle Reese and them type of Kurt Franklin and all then with the hip-hop, with the then you would sit on a dance, and then you'd be there, oh, I'm sitting up here dancing and I forgot to do what I supposed to do, but you're feeling yourself and you're feeling good about yourself. Then you'd be like, Yeah, I can be able to finish doing what I gotta do.
SPEAKER_05Dude, I've been vibing the music so hard in cars. I'll literally be on the way somewhere and I'll miss an exit because I'm sitting there so involved and so engaged in a song. So Robbie, closing statement.
SPEAKER_00Well, I'd say perfectly with what a shaman says, you know, we we could have ended right there, but I I would just basically say, you know, basically the same thing. I mean, uh uh in terms of positive stuff, you know I liked how she said earlier writing down your mental thoughts, I would add to that. Use your phone to keep a journal, you know, keep your journey keep a journal of everything you've done, not just your thoughts and your actions or your words, but everything you did from day to day. I can recall um when I was younger growing up, you know, my parents used to keep a journal of everything they did every single day. And and ever since they last run it, I I don't think they've done it for a really long time, but yeah, you know, keep a journal. You know, one thing I like to do is record stuff down. I like to make recordings, but if you're recording your life, maybe somehow record it in your mind. Use similar apps to help you write stuff down and never be afraid to, you know, keep your anger a secret. If you're angry, if you're frustrated or something's bother bothering you, talk to somebody, talk to your family or your friends, and and and and your counselors will give you support and maybe they'll use some sort of apps that you didn't even know about, apps to help you manage that anger and apps to keep you calm, as a sham ashama said. But yeah, use adaptive equipment and apps for that sort of thing. And you're I promise you that as you do, your life will be much easier than it ever has been now or has been before. So that's my closing statement.
SPEAKER_05Hey, beautiful closing statement. And uh, like I said, this today's conversation was just outstanding. And one thing I will add, and I don't even know how adaptive this really is. This is just like an extra, like really cool thing, but I can't imagine my life without it. So my wife, she's very technic, techn technologic technology smart. Technology smart, right? I can't talk today. So she's very technology smart, and she has our Alexa set up to our lamps. So whenever we go to bed, instead of having to reach over and cut off the lamp, I just go, Hey Alexa, turn off the bedroom lamps. I do too, dude. And it's it's the lamp shut off, and then we're like, we want to cut on the fan. Hey Alexa, cut on the fan, and then the fan cuts on, like it's crazy because it's I mean, I you know, I could get out of bed and turn off the stuff, but it just makes it so much easier. Elena Baker comf you're like it is amazing. So my problem is I highly encourage people that like if y'all don't use that, you should use it because it's so cool.
SPEAKER_01Yes, because it you can even um get them off of Amazon. So I I have one of the light on those the light switch, and my brother in law, he was getting them and putting them up. He is and he said, Oh, so I mean you can have one. So I said, okay, I grab one, then you can say, Hey, Alexa, turn off light. Hey, Alexa, turn on light. Hey, Alexa, um, change it to green or change it to this and that. I'd be like, Oh, I got I didn't even gotta get up and go do that. So cool.
SPEAKER_05Technology is so, so cool.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah. I ought to make my apartment fully automated so I don't have to get up and do stuff like that. I mean, it's all about AI.
SPEAKER_05Do you sleep with a fan?
SPEAKER_00Uh yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_05Imagine if you didn't have to get up to turn off your fan. You could just say, hey, Alexa, turn off the fan. That's what I do every morning.
SPEAKER_00That's what AI does nowadays.
SPEAKER_05Yeah, it's pretty cool, isn't it? So, well, guys, great conversation. Uh, it looks like we're at 212 five-star reviews on Spotify. So we uh we appreciate y'all tuning in and listening. We appreciate you making it this far. And I think that wraps up. So, from everybody from inside our minds, we hope you have a great week.
SPEAKER_04Have a great week.