Welcome to Rumble Strip, Vermont. I'm Erica Heilman.

Up until I had access to typing, I felt lost deserted in an inaccessible sea. That's Mark Utter. A

a computer-generated voice speaking the words of Mark utter, which he's

tapped out with one finger.

Mark utter was born with a form of autism that makes it impossible for him to say what he's thinking.

For the first 30 years of his life, Mark did not have access to the world of words, except as a listener, an observer. When he was 30 he was introduced to

supported typing and for the first time in his life with the help of a

facilitator and a typing pad Mark started his life,

Mark started his life as a writer of words.

It's slow going, and it requires a lot of effort for him to maintain a connection

between his mind and his hand.

Emily Anderson is one of the people who has been trained to be Mark's communication partner.

As he types, she lightly touches his elbow.

Emily has no control over the letters Mark chooses,

and according to Mark, this light touch helps to focus him

both physically and mentally.

The thing is, Mark has a lot to say,

and a couple of years ago he made a film about what it's like to be,

Mark. The film is called, I am in here, a view of my

daily life with good suggestions for improvement from my intelligent mind, and it

offers a strangely lucid and sometimes hilarious look into his life and his mind.

Mark and Emily and I met twice, and we talked for about two hours each time. So I'd ask a question and Mark would

...