Disabled boy's stolen speaking device replaced

A mute Christchurch boy with cerebral palsy has had his speaking device which was stolen nearly two weeks ago replaced.

Eight-year-old Caleb Phillips was given the Ministry of Health-funded Dyvanox computer in April last year to help him communicate.

He had his family's names and details programmed, along with photos, phrases, songs and movies, and the device spoke for him at the press of a button, allowing him to say if he was hungry or felt sick.

But on November 7, thieves snuck in the family's Wainoni home while Caleb's mother was outside and took first the device's charger from his mother's bag, then the large, flat, touch-screen device while Caleb was using it.

An insurance claim for the $20,000 device was rushed through, and Caleb received a new one yesterday, The Press newspaper reported.

Telling his mother, grandmother and teacher that he loved them, were among the first things he said following his 10-day silence.

A new phrase had also been entered on the machine: "Thank you so much to everyone who has helped me after my computer was stolen, I'm so happy to have a new one."

- NZPA