Lewis,

I saw this query the first time through and did not respond because I
thought it likely others perhaps more knowledgable would.  It is a little
hard to be specific not knowing the details of your friend's circumstances,
but here are some answers to your questions.

(1) Televisions make lousy computer monitors.  They can be pressed into
service using a device called a video modulator between the computer and the
TV, but televisions (other than high end HDTV type TV's) lack the necessary
resolution to be readable for most current computer applications without
extensive tweaking, use of excessively large font sizes, etc.  They're just
not satisfactory if you're used to using a "real" monitor.  Two
possibilities for your friend would be to get her a new, larger monitor that
could be placed on a table or stand where she could view it comfortably from
bed (or elsewhere).  Alternatively, if there is a suitable patch of blank
wall in her room, you could buy a projector designed to accept computer
video and locate it to throw a large image on the wall for her which would
then function as her monitor.  Such projectors capable of suitable
resolutions (1024 X 768 or better) can be had for a bit more than $500 new,
possibly less used, on ebay or elsewhere.

(2) Yes.  Wireless keyboards and mice are readily available and work well.
Some use infra-red to link the keyboard and mouse to the computer and others
use a low power radio signal for the purpose.  In this application I would
recommend the latter.  Typically, a "receiver" attaches via a USB port to
the computer, and the keyboard and mouse "talk" to the receiver.  Any
computer retailer (COMPUSA, Best Buy, even Staples or Office Depot) can help
you.

(3) The laptop might be an option too, but that would depend entirely on her
exact circumstances.  You would know better than I.

Hope this helps

Tom

>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date:    Sat, 10 Jun 2006 19:18:01 -0400
> From:    Lewis c Emerson <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Unusual request - second submission
>
> Folks,
>
> I have a close relative who's been pretty well house-bound and in a wheel
> chair for 50 years as a result of a spinal cord injury at age 19.  Some
> years ago I set her up with a computer and introduced her to e-mail and
> the Internet and it's had a real impact on her life.  She became addicted
> (as I knew she would) and developed an entirely new outlook on life as
> the computer opened up a whole new area for her.
>
> About a year ago, she developed pneumonia, was in the hospital for some
> time, had to be fed with a stomach tube, had to breath via a tracheotomy
> tube, etc.  She's now even more of an invalid and is in a nursing home
> where she'll have to spend the rest of her life.  This is so sad to me as
> she's been such a "fighter" for so long.  I've tried to get her
> interested in getting the computer out to the nursing home to use again
> (it'd made such a tremendous difference in her life earlier), but she
> seems not interested.  I know that she's afraid that it'd be stolen from
> her room, and that it might be awkward to use her desktop machine from a
> bed or a wheelchair, but I'm trying to think of some way.....
>
> Here're my questions:
>
> 1.   Sitting in a bed or a wheelchair the images on the desktop's monitor
> would be too small for her to see/read.  She does have a TV in her room,
> so is there a way that the TV screen can be used as the computer monitor?
> Some "gadget, etc." that I don't know about.
>
> 2.   It might be awkward for her to have to use a keyboard connected to
> the desktop, so is there anyway to get a "wireless" keyboard and a
> "wireless" mouse for her to use?
>
> 3. I'll try to get her a laptop computer to use if that'd help.
>
> I am so disturbed that her life has, again, become so limited and I keep
> thinking that there must be some way that I can, again, give her
> something to do that will give her life some purpose.
>
> If you can help me with this both she and I'd be most appreciative.
>
> Many, many thanks,
>
> Lewis Emerson
>
>

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