Company
Date Published
Author
Ignaz Kowalczuk
Word count
335
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Jules Rodriguez, diagnosed with ALS, faced the difficult decision of whether to undergo a tracheotomy, ultimately choosing to proceed despite an earlier agreement with his wife, Maria, to the contrary. Determined to continue performing comedy despite losing his voice, Jules utilized voice cloning tools and a Tobii Dynavox eyegaze device to deliver his first stand-up set at Dania Improv in Miami in 2024, using his AI-generated voice. This performance, which was documented, highlighted his resilience and ability to find humor and connection amidst adversity. Jules and Maria also share their experiences navigating life with ALS through their podcast, "The Couple Shift," reinforcing that life's challenges have not dimmed Jules' creativity and passion.