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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, July 26-28, 2017 B-7 The Park Record Smart technology changed the life of a man who lost mobility after a big fall The Daily Herald SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah (AP) — Kevin Hoyt uses a smart doorbell to see who’s standing on his front porch without having to go to the door. His wife, Melissa, will ask Amazon Alexa to turn off a light as she’s rushing out of the house. Ten-year-old Bailey uses Alexa to play songs so she can practice dancing or will ask the devices how to spell a word, or to play tic-tac-toe with her. Sometimes, Melissa and 14-year-old Cameron will use Alexa to face off with sports trivia questions. The Hoyt’s Saratoga Springs home isn’t an abnormality in 2017 as families turn to smart technology to add a new layer of convenience to their lives. But for Kevin Hoyt, who became a paraplegic in 2015 after a fall, the tech means so much more. “It has been amazing,” Kevin said. “I can think of three or four things that have made a huge difference in my quality of life — like my wheelchair, my ankle braces and the smart home tech. I absolutely put it on par with any medical equipment.” Smart technology allows users to connect and control the technology in their home by using their phone or even just their voice. For Kevin, it means being able to turn off a light or turn on a fan without having to get to a switch. “Mostly, it gives me more peace of mind that I can leave Kevin here on his own,” Melissa said. And after he started to use smart tech to increase his independence, Kevin knew he couldn’t keep it to himself. So he founded Transition Tech Solutions, a business that performs smart home consulting and installation in Utah with a specialty in helping those with mobility issues. Readjusting Kevin was in his attic on New Year’s Day in 2015 when he fell, crashing through Sheetrock in his ceiling and landing in his living room. “I do remember crashing through the Sheetrock, right up in this corner,” Kevin said, pointing to a spot on his ceiling, “between the smoke detector and the peak. So I remember the sound of crashing through the Sheetrock and then smashing into the ground below. I totally remember all of that and laying on my back with insulation in my throat.” Melissa called 911, urged Kevin not to move and tried to keep the kids calm while Kevin lay there in excruciating pain as an ambulance arrived. To this day, they still don’t know what caused him to fall. He damaged his spinal cord. He was in the hospital for five weeks as surgery followed and he learned he was now a paraplegic. Kevin went home in a wheelchair, not knowing what his future held. The next few months were all about physical therapy and learning if he couldn’t do something now or yet. “So far, most things have been not yet,” Kevin said. Now, Kevin walks around his house using ankle braces and still has some sensation and motor abilities in his legs. But those little motions, and physical therapy, are exhausting. “There’s a huge amount of work for very little return, which is OK,” he said. Everything takes work. Kevin’s morning routine now takes two and a half hours to complete, and walking is still difficult as he has to concentrate to send signals to his muscles. “Trying to walk down the hallway and have a conversation, I can’t do both,” he said. New solutions to new problems He can’t feel most of his legs, so Kevin uses his vision to keep his balance. It worked pretty well, until the first winter after his injury hit, when the sun would go down early and suddenly getting to bed became a lot more dangerous. “I couldn’t turn out the light and then get to bed, because I’ll go down as soon as the light goes out,” Kevin said. So if Melissa wasn’t home, he’d either have one of the kids turn the lights off or go to bed with the light on, and Melissa would shut it off when she came home. Kevin was considering either hiring an electrician to wire a light switch by his bed or carrying around a lantern. The front door was a whole other problem. Without ankle braces, it takes Kevin a long time to reach his front door using a walker. “It used to be that I wouldn’t even attempt to get to the door because they would be long gone by the time I got there,” Kevin said. “Now, I get the notification. I can answer, I can see who is at the door and I can talk to them on my phone.” He can even use his phone to immediately unlock the door or tell a mail carrier he’ll be at the door soon to sign for a package. “It is seriously amazing to be in my bed and not get wound up or feel anxious when somebody comes to the door,” Kevin said. He’s not the only one who uses the smart doorbell. The Hoyts said it’s popular with the neighborhood kids. “Everyone knows around here that we have a talking doorbell,” Melissa said. She said they’ve also heard of families who have used camera footage to show video of seizures to doctors. Sensors on interior doors can also alert caretakers when a door to a pantry or bathroom has been opened. Parents can record their voice to play when a door is opened to urge a child not to go outside, or to say it’s not time to eat yet when the pantry is opened. “It kind of slows the kids down just a little bit,” Mero-Bench said. And for caretakers of people with intellectual disabilities, that brief head start can make all the difference in catching a family member before it’s too late. Tech options It’s not just those with disabilities who are benefiting from the technology, but their caretakers Transition tech solutions as well. Kevin was in the middle of an Vivint Smart Home, a Provo- online MBA program at Colorabased company that provides do State University when he fell. smart home technology and ser- Afterward, he doubted if he’d vices, started working with a test return to school. He took a few group of families of children with semesters off before eventually autism about three years ago. Par- starting classes again. ents of children with autism took His program’s last class rea survey rating their stress levels quired a capstone project where before and after smart technology the students apply what they’ve was installed in their home. After learned to a real business situathe technology was installed, the tion. The students pitched ideas, parents rated their stress levels at and then voted on their favorites. half of what they were at before, With one of the most popular said Holly Mero-Bench, director projects, Kevin spent the next few of Vivint Gives Back. months working with a team of Vivint Gives Back specifically students to build a business plan targeted families of children with for a smart tech company catering autism spectrum disorder or other to those with mobility challenges. intellectual disabilities. The techAt graduation, Kevin stunned nology is discounted for families the crowd as he wheeled up in his of individuals with intellectual chair, put a finger up to signal he disabilities. needed a moment and then stood Children with autism tend to up amid a standing ovation to wander, which can be terrifying for accept his diploma and continue a parent when they discover their walking across the stage. child is missing from their home. The video of his walk reached Vivint alarms, cameras and sensors more than 5 million people, becan capture where a child went and coming CSU’s most popular alert parents when a child leaves a Facebook post in its history. home. A semiconductor manufactur“Those individuals don’t have ing engineer by day, Kevin never oohintended la la 3.5” x 5”, b&w ad “Raise a lot of boundaries, and they to become an entrepreare not afraid of things,” Mero- neur. But after seeing the hope Bench said. “So we find that other people he has met with disthose children, they get out of the abilities have had when he talked house, they slip out without their about it, he launched Transition parents knowing, so the parents Tech Solutions earlier this month. have to keep an eye on them liter“I am astounded in the differally 24/7.” ence in quality of life it has made Indoor cameras also give par- for me, and I am really indepenents the ability to keep an eye on dent and mobile for someone with their children without having to be a spinal cord injury,” Kevin said. in the same room as them. MeroThe products the business inBench has heard parents say they stalls don’t require monthly fees. can finally take more than just a The business can install smart quick shower because they can speakers, video doorbells, garage watch their children via their smart door openers, ceiling fans, outlets devices to assure they’re safe. and motion sensors. 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If you are looking for a companion who would love to go everywhere with you, then Mowgli is the dog for you. King Henry is a friendly 2-yearold Shepherd mix. He loves to go on walks and spend time with people. King Henry walks well on a leash and knows a few of his basic obedience commands. He would do best in a home without other pets. He’s one big, happy guy! Sophie is an energetic 7-year-old Labrador mix who loves to be outside. She would love to find an active family that can spend quality time with her. She’s not a fan of cats but gets along with some other dogs. This happy dog loves to play, play, play. Chantel Siren Sven Wags Chantel is an affectionate 5-yearold brown-ticked tabby domestic shorthair. She loves to snuggle and give hugs, and she is the kind of cat who will be a constant companion. Chantel is a curious and playful kitty, and we think she’s just an all-around great cat. Siren is a gorgeous cat who will lure you in with her beautiful, silky coat and lovely gold eyes. She is sweet and friendly, and she only wants your love. She’s a 5-yearold black domestic shorthair who is sure to be a wonderful pet for years to come. Sven is looking mighty handsome today. Sven is a 7-year-old tuxedo cat who loves people and craves affection. He is a calm and easygoing guy, and he is happiest when he can just curl up next to his favorite human and snooze the day away. Wags is an outgoing 6-year-old brown tabby. This handsome fella is easygoing and gets along with everyone he meets. Wags likes other cats, loves people and would probably do well with a canine family member. This gentle guy is a total sweetheart. WANTED: VOLUNTEERS These organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words. Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter needs volunteers. Each Saturday, there are several shifts that support the front desk staff during open hours. Give museum tours, run the climbing wall, greet guests and more. Volunteers must enjoy working with the public and have a passion for the natural world. The EcoCenter also can use office support on weekdays. Call Gail Piccoli for information at 435-7978956 or gail.piccoli@usu.edu. Volunteer Drivers Wanted Summit County is looking for volunteers to drive senior citizens to their doctor appointments in Salt Lake City. Any interested individuals need to go through background and driving-record checks. They should expect to dedicate four to six hours on Tuesdays. Individuals interested in volunteering, and any seniors interested in using the service, should contact Heather Nalette, Summit County senior citizens coordinator, at 435-336-3014 FREE DINNER ENTRÉE When you purchase another entrée of equal or greater value. 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