App for intubated patients, not able to hold a pen

Question

I'm in the difficult situation of trying to communicate with my mother who is intubated and not strong enough to hold a pen.
First thought was to try to create something using HTML, which would be a struggle but doable with time.
Is there an app (or anything else in the world for that matter) which would allow me to create questions or statements, and possible have a text to voice feature added.
They would need to be very large "buttons" such as "hurt", leading to a selection of "leg", which leads to "moderate" etc...
other questons of "tell" - "nurse" - "suction"
"ask" "dad" "about" "something"
An alphabetical keyboard (not querty) with VERY large buttons would might be usable, but doubt it.
I have a hard time believing this hasn't already been done and made freely available.
If such a thing exists, please share.   I don't write code, but have created simple pages using html I have written from scratch.  I don't know programming languages. 
I'm adept at using a unix terminal, not so much with simple point and click interfaces.

Answer 1

Try talk tablet available for the iPad and iPhone. $80. If too expensive, then this is a low tech inexpensive solution. I use this with the non verbal children that have limited use of their hands. I bought an inexpensive pair of reading glasses. Supplies: small laser pointer. I bought it for a dollar. A pair of inexpensive reading glasses or sunglasses that you pop the lenses out or if your mother wears glasses use as is. Velcro with a sticky adhesive backing. Cut the Velcro to the size of the length of the laser pointer. And attach to the side of the glasses. You will have to use a rubber band or duct tape to exert enough pressure on the on switch if it a push on switch. Make a board with simple clear photos or words. I have pain; picture or words of body parts, I am : cold,hot. I want: blanket, scratch my nose. Etc . Your mom can use movements of her head to use the laser on her glasses to point to what she wants to say. I hope this helps you and your mother. I went through a similar experience with my mother. Best wishes that your mother improves quickly. Hang in there!