If you're reading this blog, it means that you're familiar with technology; sadly you are probably also familiar with the dark side of technology. Create passwords, input them, remember them. Upload this, upgrade that. Deal with a crash, a virus or a hijacking. Guard your privacy. Share your updates. When you use technology, your vocabulary expands, and so does your world.

Just before Christmas, thanks to technology, I spent a delightful hour, courtesy of Skype, chatting with James, a student who is currently in his last year of Product Design at Leeds University.

He found me by googling two words - rheumatoid arthritis.

By the nature of the questions that James asked, it was apparent that he is a dedicated student who wants to understand what it is like living with RA. We had a discussion about the gaps and lacks in RA-user-friendly gadgets, products and tools. Then *drumroll* he unveiled his product design ideas for his final project.

I was thrilled! I can't tell you the number of times I've muttered to myself (and others), about the poor design of this thingamabob, or wishing that I could redesign that doohickey. This was the next best thing to having a product designer on-call.

I don't know what the marking scheme is for this project, but if I were James' professor, I would be giving him high marks for initiative, compassion and a willingness to listen, learn and apply the information in a different way to meet the needs of the client/customer.

I look forward to seeing his positive contributions to the world of ability.