Ep 1. My Amazing Brain: Richard's War

My Amazing Brain: Richard's War is the first episode of the Horizon season 2018. In this episode, viewers are introduced to Richard Gray, who was once a successful business owner but suddenly suffered a severe stroke, which left him paralyzed on his left side and struggling to communicate.

The episode shows how medical science is using innovative technology to help people with communication difficulties, and this is where Richard's War begins. Richard has had a small device implanted into his brain that allows him to use his thoughts to control a computer. This is an incredible breakthrough, and it has meant that Richard has been able to communicate with his loved ones, and even control his own environment by switching lights on and off!

The technology that has made this possible is called a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). This is not a new technology, but Richard's experience of it is unique. The program looks at the story of how Richard has learned to use this device and also explores the cutting-edge science behind it.

Richard was a busy businessman before his stroke, running a company with his wife and two children. After his stroke, he was unable to communicate with his family or even express his own basic needs. The BCIs have allowed Richard to communicate his thoughts to a computer, and these thoughts are then translated into actions. For example, if Richard thinks about typing a word like "hello," the computer will type that word for him, which he can then use to communicate with others.

The episode also explores the technical aspects of how the BCI works. Viewers will learn that the device is implanted in the motor cortex, the part of the brain responsible for movement. This means that Richard does not need to physically move or type to communicate. Instead, his thoughts are picked up by the device and translated into words or actions by the computer.

The technology behind BCIs is constantly evolving, and scientists believe that there is scope for much more advanced versions of the device to be developed in the future. For now, however, the focus is on helping people like Richard to communicate and regain independence in their daily lives.

Overall, this episode of Horizon is a fascinating look at the remarkable potential of medical science and technology. It shows how, with the right kind of research and development, doctors can make a real difference in the lives of people with severe disabilities. Richard's War is an inspiring story of one man's incredible journey and the innovative medical science that has helped him along the way.