Paul Francoeur spent years communicating through eye-tracking technology after ALS stole his ability to speak. The 67-year-old Vermont man and his wife Kris learned about Bridging Voices, a program through ElevenLabs that clones voices for ALS patients at no cost. The only requirement? Clear audio recordings from before the voice declined. A 2012 WCAX news story about Francoeur’s spinning wheel craft provided exactly 16 seconds of usable audio, enough to recreate his natural voice.
When the cloned voice played for the first time, Kris said it sounded just like him. Paul used it to thank supporters, raise ALS awareness, and tell his grandchildren he loved them. He died seven months after the interview, but his family now has those messages forever. Vermont has the nation’s highest ALS rate per capita, making programs like this especially meaningful there.
Here on the Suncoast, where so many families care for aging loved ones and navigate serious health conditions, this story resonates. It’s a reminder that technology can serve our deepest human needs: connection, identity, and the simple act of saying “I love you” in your own voice.
Have you ever wished you could preserve a loved one’s voice? Share your thoughts with us.
