Computer technology touches the lives of us all, every day - but it will literally transform the life of little Joe Smith, writes Victoria Owen.

Thanks to your magnificent response to the appeal on This is Oxfordshire and in the Oxford Mail, the four-year-old will soon have a specially-adapted computer system.

Since he was ten months old, his only way of communicating has been by blinking and rolling his eyes. But the new equipment will mean dramatic changes.

First though, Joe, of Greater Leys, Oxford, will have to be taught how to operate the computer, and this will mean learning new physical as well as intellectual skills.

Joe has already been assessed by experts at the Aidis Trust, the charity that will customise Joe's computer hardware and software.

They will take into account his day-to-day lifestyle and the great support he has from his family - mum and dad Wendy and Peter and his brothers and sister. The chief executive of the trust, Philip Ross, says the new computer will probably sit on a stand next to Joe in the brightly coloured bedroom where he spends most of the day attached to a respirator, and surrounded by his favourite toys.

He says: "This is the place he is most comfortable and I envisage that initially the computer will stay there for about a year. But he won't use it in the same way that an able-bodied person would use a screen and keyboard."

Instead, the tailor-made technology will be used as a stimulus for Joe, who will slowly learn that the restricted movement in his arms and legs can command the computer to sing, chat and project bold pictures and bright patterns. Mr Ross explains: "He has little movement in his arms and hands, but seems to have more controlled movement of his feet.

"By putting switches near to his limbs, he will accidentally hit them. This will trigger a piece of music to play, or a picture to appear on the screen.

"Soon he will learn that the movements he makes have a certain effect on his environment and he will learn to control how to trigger the switches."

Just as a toddler investigates his surroundings and starts to grasp what his actions can achieve, so Joe will find satisfaction from the computer.

The switches used will vary to harness the abilities Joe already has. Mr Ross says: "They are different sizes and shapes. Some will be able to withstand robust treatment.

"Joe is able to grasp a drum stick, so we might use a switch that responds when he bashes it.

"Though his intellect might be little bit better than a baby's, we need to focus on these physical skills first. Once he has learned the basics we can progress to other things, such as learning language.

"Joe can already use his eyes to communicate simple things to his parents and maybe we can use that as well to give him further educational skills."

An Aidis technician will set up the customised package at the Smiths' home before training the family to use it. After a few months, Joe's progress will be reviewed and modifications may be made to the software. In the future he could use the computer to match pictures - even photos of his family taken with a digital camera - or making requests by using switches to operate recorded messages. Mr Ross even believes the equipment could give Joe's parents some well-earned respite care. They may be able to leave him alone playing happily for short periods of time.

The computer will not be portable enough to move around, but Aidis has seen huge benefits for many families struggling to cope with severely disabled children.

Mr Ross says: "The equipment will never completely develop Joe's skills. It won't get him walking or talking, but it will significantly help him to think about what he is doing and learn to do things automatically to get what he wants.

"It will also become an activity that his siblings Rachel, Sam and Danny will be able to take part in. At the moment there may not be a lot they can do with their brother.

"And it will relieve the stress surrounding a family that has for so long been centred around one member."

Though we've already raised the £1,000 Joe and his family need, you may still like to help.

To make a donation, please send a cheque payable to Aidis Trust for Joe Smith and send it to the Aidis Trust, 1 Albany Park, Cabot Lane, Poole, Dorset BH17 7BX.

Story date: Friday 11 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.