Jack Rushton, father of six, patriarch and educator in the Mormon Church became quadriplegic and ventilator dependent at age 51 from a 1989 body surfing accident. Today, Jack remains a leader in his church and by using the Passy-Muir Valve (PMV), he has been able to continue lecturing as a motivational speaker and resume his teaching activities. He is also currently writing a book using the PMV and a voice-activated computer.

"When I first started using the PMV on the ventilator, the feeling of the airflow in my throat, nose and mouth was the hardest adjustment to make. The key is to just do it a little at a time until you get used to it, then before you know it, it becomes a part of you. I wear it all day now and I don't even notice it is there. It's like learning to wear contact lenses. The PMV gives me the volume and continuity of speech that I need as a public speaker and teacher and has helped to reduce my suctioning needs. I couldn't accomplish this any other way."

Jack Rushton, Spinal Cord Injury