iPad is Magic, Revolutionary for Disabled Boy

You may hate Apple, but you can't on any iProducts that makes someone's life better like this.

Touch screen devices existed long before Apple decided to utilize the technology for its iPhones, iPods and iPads, but its iOS devices have hit the mainstream in a capacity to reach everybody – and we mean every body.

Those with disabilities that keep them away from computing through traditional inputs, such as the dexterity-requiring keyboard and mouse, often find much to like about touch screens. Touch screens make it simple, as the user simply must touch or flick to navigate.

7-year-old Owen Cain from Brooklyn, NY has suffered from spinal muscular atrophy Type 1, a debilitating motor-neuron disease, since infancy. Doctors say that he would be paralyzed for life and that he would die at about two years of age.

So far Owen's bested the experts' estimates by 150 percent, and though he doesn't have the ability to operate a computer mouse, he's able to access a while new world via the iPad.

Owen's parents have invested much in computerized communications tools, but none have worked on the first try like the iPad did. Owen's grandmother bought the iPad for him, and since then his parents have invested over $200 in Apps. One such app, Proloquo2Go, allows Owen to touch an icon which then speaks that he needs to go to the bathroom.

He also has other educational apps that help him practice arithmetic, as well as reading books.

This is just one story about how an inexpensive consumer electronic has made a huge difference in the life of someone. Read more from the New York Times story.