Research Techniques: Interviewing Using the Morse Code by Daniel Bell, Research Assistant The Genetic and Environmental Epidemiology Study is one of the current investigations taking place at The Eleanor & Lou Gehrig Research Center. As a research assistant, it is my responsibility to conduct interviews. In most instances, these last between one and two hours, and can be done over the phone. However, if the person being interviewed has difficulty speaking, we try to meet with them in person, so we can use devices such as a dry erase board or ask for a caregiver’s help to better understand the patient responses. In December, a co-worker and I went to a patient’s apartment to conduct such an interview. This particular patient had lost all ability to speak and the use his hands and arms, but still wished to participate in the study. This was my first experience interviewing someone who could not communicate verbally or write. I wasn’t sure how we were going to do it. At the start of the interview, the patient’s spouse mentioned that their son would sit in during our questions because the patient was going to use the Morse code to provide his answers. The patient had served in the military and had learned Morse code there. The patient’s son, who is 20 years old, realized his father was losing his ability to speak, and spent a weekend learning the Morse code himself. Acquiring this skill allowed his dad to "talk" to him, and allowed him to become his father’s interpreter. As the questions began, the patient used a right foot tap for long and a left foot tap for short, using tapping to form letters that spelled out his answers. If an answer only required yes or no responses, the patient used one foot as yes and one foot as no. Whenever possible, my coworker and I would ask the son and spouse questions that they might be able to answer so the patient would not have to over-exert himself during the three hours we spent with him. It took an extraordinary amount of effort for this patient to participate in the study. He used a machine to help him breathe (BiPAP) and needed breaks to regain his strength, but his courage and determination never faltered. This is just one example of the type of commitment that we frequently see from the patients that come into our Center. Despite many trips to the hospital, this patient and his wife made an extraordinary effort to make time for our research, in the hope that the results will benefit others. Their generosity is also one example of what inspires us.