MINOOKA, Ill. — Bill Swick has a rare degenerative brain disease that inhibits his mobility and speech. Instead of the hassle of traveling an hour to a clinic in downtown Chicago to visit a speech therapist, he has benefited from virtual appointments from the comfort of his home.
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Martha Swick, left, and her husband Bill Swick look at each other at their home in Minooka, Ill., Oct. 24.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
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Bill Swick, bottom hand, points as he studies with his wife Martha Swick at their home in Minooka, Ill., Oct. 24.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
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Martha Swick, left, and her husband Bill Swick look at a photo at their home in Minooka, Ill., Oct. 24.Â
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
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Bill Swick, right, looks around while study with his wife Martha Swick at their home in Minooka, Ill., Oct. 24.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
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Swenson reported from New York.
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