Introduced in Martin’s narrative through Dr. Diane Bryen, a professor at Temple University, this is a program that helps provide autonomy and empowerment to people who communicate through technology. As Bryen explains the mission and vision of ACES to Martin, he fills with a sense of wonder, and his encounter with Bryen and introduction to the work of the program serves to catalyze his own thinking. As Martin reflects on his encounter with Bryen and the possibilities that a program like ACES could offer, he wonders aloud: “Is what she’s saying true? Might I really start to make decisions for myself now that I’m finding my voice” (95)? The very existence of the ACES program allows Martin the opportunity to reimagine what his life might look like.

This is the name of the care facility that Martin spent much of his life after falling ill. Martin describes his experience at Alpha and Omega as a mixed bag, as some of his memories allude to callousness and carelessness, while other memories stand out in his mind as genuine reminders of the care he received at the home. Thus, his relationship with Alpha and Omega is complicated, a delicate combination of gratitude and dread.