Macs help Roger Ebert to speak again

Film Critic Roger Ebert has been a long time Mac fan, and now he is depending on his Mac laptop to speak for him. Ebert was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2002, and it was later discovered there was additional cancerous material in his jaw. His lower jaw was removed, and Ebert lost his ability to eat and speak.

Now, Ebert uses the Alex voice, which is built into Mac OS X. Last month, with the help of his wife and some friends, Ebert talked about using the Mac to get his voice back in a TED talk. Note: the video uses Flash and is embedded on the next page.

It's an inspiring session. Ebert has refused all further treatment for his cancer, and is willing to face whatever comes.

Ebert seems to be doing well with his Mac and Alex, and he's trying to live as normal a life as possible under some pretty tough restrictions and challenges.