Greg Gunderson and Jason Curry during a recent conference. Click here to learn more about the UbiDuo

Boys Town Brotherhood Could Make Dreams a “Reality”

When Jason Curry and Greg Gunderson met at a Boys Town National Research Hospital Summer Gifted Camp for the Deaf in 1982, they had no idea how far their friendship would take them.

Now, one is an inventor hoping to bridge the communication gap between the hearing and the deaf, and the other is using that invention to chase his dream of being the first deaf NASCAR driver.

“I can't thank God enough for getting both of us together and doing the same mission together to make the world a better place for deaf and hard of hearing people to live,” said Gunderson.

In 2006, 21 years after losing touch, Curry contacted his old camp roommate to help him test out his new communication device. The UbiDuo - a portable, lightweight, wireless device which features two full size keyboards and screens - helps the hearing and the deaf communicate through simultaneous, real-time messaging. It communicates with any TDD and can even connect to other PDAs such as Blackberry, Sidekick and cell phones. Curry has been working with researchers at the Boys Town National Research Hospital, along with many others, in developing the device. The Hospital provides nationally-oriented clinical and research programs focusing on childhood deafness, visual impairment and related communication disorders.

It just so happened when Curry contacted Gunderson that the race car driver was looking for a communication solution on the track. He needed to find a way to better communicate with his pit crew when he was behind the wheel. Their renewed friendship also turned into a business partnership.

“I have been using it and it is a great feeling that they hear directly from me instead of third party,” said Gunderson. “I am thrilled to promote his device to the world.”

Now their partnership, and Gunderson’s racing skills, could be a part of an upcoming TV reality show. Gunderson entered a contest to be one of 12 rookie contestants on a show called, “Racin’ for a Livin’.” The show, scheduled to shoot this autumn and appear on a yet-undisclosed network in February, will feature the rookie drivers and five veterans going through a series of off-track tests and races, eliminating one driver each week. The show’s winner would get the chance to qualify for seven Busch series races.

But Gunderson isn’t on the show yet. The top 50 drivers must prove their worth by getting press coverage and by drawing votes on the show’s Web site www.racinforalivin.com. The site has had more than 150 million hits since voting began and voting ends July 31.

“I have received more than 3,100 email messages with positive comments, encouragement, and compliments from deaf and hearing fans and supporters across the country and around the world,” said Gunderson. “These justify my efforts to get on the show to educate public that deaf people can do anything but hear.”

Both Gunderson and Curry say they hope the TV exposure will show the world how deaf people can lead a normal life with the latest assistive technology. They say the friendship and hope they found at Boys Town is helping them win life’s race.

“We made many good friends there, sharing our backgrounds, feelings, opinions, and goals,” said Gunderson. “We look forward to grabbing the checkered flag!”