Wanna hear an incredible but true Steve Jobs story?

[omeletpants]

Around 2005, my 5 year old autistic son and I were in an Apple store in Schaumburg Il. My son was attracted to anything with lights and computers. I was a sales manager at HP and received free HP equipment for work so that's what we used. But my son had a habit of coming into my office and randomly adjusting settings on my MS based computers. It was becoming a problem

While in the store they had demo area called Just For Kids, where they had computers with games the kids could play while their parents shopped. The computers were restricted to being turned on or off but no settings could be adjusted. It was a Sunday and when I got home I decided to try and contact Steve to see if I could buy the software. I sent an email to steve.jobs@apple.com and described my request. 20 minutes later I get an email back from Steve. He says that one of his VPs would call me the next day to arrange something. People might say how did you know his email. Well, I just guessed. I already knew that people like Mark Hurd and Carly Fiorini CEO and other execs at HP just used their names in their email. Guess they want some contact with their customers without some executive secretary filtering content

Next day Apple VP calls me and says that Steve wants to help. Tells me that they would have to get license clearance from the game providers and that would take a few months. 2 months later a new apple computer shows up at my front door with the software, all free. I send a note to Steve thanking him and he says I'm not allowed to repeat the story, which I never did while he was alive. My son used it for 7 years. We became an Apple household that day. I eventually retired as an HP VP and and even now receive a yearly stipend for HP equipment a but just give it to relatives

I have heard all the good and bad stories about Steve, but in my book he is a great guy

 

[Momof2.1107]

Around 2005, my 5 year old autistic son and I were in an Apple store in Schaumburg Il. My son was attracted to anything with lights and computers. I was a sales manager at HP and received free HP equipment for work so that's what we used. But my son had a habit of coming into my office and randomly adjusting settings on my MS based computers. It was becoming a problem

While in the store they had demo area called Just For Kids, where they had computers with games the kids could play while their parents shopped. The computers were restricted to being turned on or off but no settings could be adjusted. It was a Sunday and when I got home I decided to try and contact Steve to see if I could buy the software. I sent an email to steve.jobs@apple.com and described my request. 20 minutes later I get an email back from Steve. He says that one of his VPs would call me the next day to arrange something. People might say how did you know his email. Well, I just guessed. I already knew that people like Mark Hurd and Carly Fiorini CEO and other execs at HP just used their names in their email. Guess they want some contact with their customers without some executive secretary filtering content

Next day Apple VP calls me and says that Steve wants to help. Tells me that they would have to get license clearance from the game providers and that would take a few months. 2 months later a new apple computer shows up at my front door with the software, all free. I send a note to Steve thanking him and he says I'm not allowed to repeat the story, which I never did while he was alive. My son used it for 7 years. We became an Apple household that day. I eventually retired as an HP VP and and even now receive a yearly stipend for HP equipment a but just give it to relatives

I have heard all the good and bad stories about Steve, but in my book he is a great guy

That’s a cool story.

 

[44267547]

I don’t want to detract away from the main purpose of the thread, but I doubt you’d find too many CEOs that would ever go to those lengths that Steve did for the OP.

A lot of people mischaracterized that he was ‘evil, heartless’ person. The truth is, most never knew Steve on a personal level, and even if he had some negative traits about him, there could be dozens of stories like this that are never told of where he was compassionate. The difference between Steve and a lot of other CEOs, Steve was way more vocal and in the limelight more often, where some CEOs, are very private in nature and reserved.

Anyways, great story OP.

 

[omeletpants]

I don’t want to detract away from the main purpose of the thread, but I doubt you’d find too many CEOs that would ever go to those lengths that Steve did for the OP.

A lot of people mischaracterized that he was ‘evil, heartless’ person. The truth is, most never knew Steve on a personal level, and even if he had some negative traits about him, there could be dozens of stories like this that are never told of where he was compassionate. The difference between Steve and a lot of other CEOs, Steve was way more vocal and in the limelight more often, where some CEOs, are very private in nature and reserved.

Anyways, great story OP.

True, I can't speak for others but Steve was very kind to my son and made his life better.

OTOH, I mentioned the name of Mark Hurd (former HP CEO) to which I made two presentations. I found him to be a poor excuse for a human being which confirmed his reputation. He purposely destroyed the career of a high level HP executive and laughed and I inadvertently overheard that conversation. He's dead now and I venture that few miss him.

 

[TSE]

OP, thanks for the amazing story! Really heartfelt and great. How is your son doing now? Sounds like an IT Professional in the making.

I, too, sent emails to Steve and got replies and personalized help. It was crazy cool as a thirteen year old exchanging emails with one of the most renowned CEOs of all time.

 

[omeletpants]

OP, thanks for the amazing story! Really heartfelt and great. How is your son doing now? Sounds like an IT Professional in the making.

I, too, sent emails to Steve and got replies and personalized help. It was crazy cool as a thirteen year old exchanging emails with one of the most renowned CEOs of all time.

My son is a good boy and tries really hard. He also can't speak so I got him an Iphone so he can text. He also has an Ipad with special communication software. Sometimes the Iphone makes it feel like we are really talking

People don't realize that famous people still communicate with the public and can be touched by situations and want to help

 

[Feyl]

That's a very cool story and reminds me why I miss Steve so much. He was not evil as many people say.

 

[TechRunner]

That's a great story, OP. SJ truly was one-of-a-kind. Thanks for sharing!

 

[kltmom]

As a mother to a special needs daughter who is both physically and mentally disabled, this story made me almost cry! My high school aged daughter has both an iPhone and an iPad, and the accessibility features in the Apple ecosystem are the best. Just the iPad alone is revolutionary for her reading--she would have trouble with the physical coordination of holding a typical book, and turning the pages, focusing on reading line by line...but with an iPad, those obstacles all melt away with the different ways to manipulate the page presentation, fonts and font sizes, etc., and the absolute ease of use and simplicity of the iPad. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for how Apple technology helps her.

 

[omeletpants]

As a mother to a special needs daughter who is both physically and mentally disabled, this story made me almost cry! My high school aged daughter has both an iPhone and an iPad, and the accessibility features in the Apple ecosystem are the best. Just the iPad alone is revolutionary for her reading--she would have trouble with the physical coordination of holding a typical book, and turning the pages, focusing on reading line by line...but with an iPad, those obstacles all melt away with the different ways to manipulate the page presentation, fonts and font sizes, etc., and the absolute ease of use and simplicity of the iPad. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for how Apple technology helps her.

My son is now 22 but he is still severely disabled so the strategy will still be the same........to make communications easier. My wife is the real hero for us as she is a speech pathologist and consultant to other parents to ensure they get their rights for kids. So, she is well versed on all the programs and tools available in our state. I feel sorry for the average parent as the system can push them aside and most of the time they don't know that they qualify for various assistance

 

[Apple fanboy]

My son is now 22 but he is still severely disabled so the strategy will still be the same........to make communications easier. My wife is the real hero for us as she is a speech pathologist and consultant to other parents to ensure they get their rights for kids. So, she is well versed on all the programs and tools available in our state. I feel sorry for the average parent as the system can push them aside and most of the time they don't know that they qualify for various assistance

My daughter was autistic. Not as severe as your son’s presentation by the sounds, but it was a difficult journey whilst she was here. Now it’s just difficult in different ways. Six years this Christmas.

Glad technology (and Steve Jobs!) are helping a bit with the communication side. Good luck with everything going forward.

 

[omeletpants]

My daughter was autistic. Not as severe as your son’s presentation by the sounds, but it was a difficult journey whilst she was here. Now it’s just difficult in different ways. Six years this Christmas.

Glad technology (and Steve Jobs!) are helping a bit with the communication side. Good luck with everything going forward.

Good luck to you. Our children depend upon the goodwill of strangers as much as they depend upon us

 

[omeletpants]

This is my 250th post so I should get access to the classified fourm