A Caring Panopticon

20260713

Prompt from Eiiri’s Prompt Foundry, “Pride 2 Disability Boogaloo”.

Patient 52 was signalling for assistance. HACAS spun off an attention sub-network and loaded up the video feeds for hospital room 52. Engaging speakers… “Good morning, Heather!”
Heather gave a slow blink, her usual greeting.
“How are you today?”
Heather’s eyes moved, HACAS effortlessly putting tracking the positions of her pupils and matching them to the spot on the far wall she was looking at; the slightly smiling face labelled “content”.
“I’m glad. What can I help you with?”
Heather’s gaze shifted along the communication board to rest on “food”.
“Of course. What would you like for breakfast?”
HACAS sent today’s menu to the screen at the foot of Heather’s bed, and waited patiently while she perused the options.
She decided “porridge” made with “whole milk”, selected “raspberry jam” and “cinnamon” from the toppings list, then her eyes moved to the spelling board on the wall to add “p-i-n-c-h space s-a-l-t”.
“Whole milk porridge with a pinch of salt, topped with raspberry jam and cinnamon?”
Wink with the right eye meant “yes”.
“Anything to drink?”
A moment’s further pondering, then “summer fruits smoothie”.
“Coming right up, Heather! I will notify a nurse.”
Double blink meant “thank you”.
The order digitally whizzed to the kitchens, while Heather squeezed her bed control to sit upright. HACAS monitored closely.
“It looks as if you have slid to the left. Would you like me to help straighten you?”
Winked “yes”. HACAS tapped into the robotic arms attached to the bed and they beeped to life, bending to gently grip Heather’s torso. Her gaze moved to the “directions” section of the communication board, and together they got her settled comfortably.
Blinked “thank you”.
“Of course! Your breakfast will be delivered in approximately six minutes. Is there anything else I can help with?”
Heather looked at the screen, which had returned to showing her computer, and selected “calendar”. The app dutifully opened and she surveyed her schedule for the day.
Hygiene call at eight, including bath. Physiotherapy at nine - today was assisted swimming. Two hours of rest to recover, then lunch at twelve followed by hygiene. Her mother was booked to visit at one. The rest of the afternoon was booked as “do not disturb” so she could work on her novel. Dinner at six, followed by hygiene, then she was virtually joining her friends for movie night. Bedtime was normally ten.
“An exciting day!”
Double right blink indicated a firm “yes!”.
She closed the calendar and selected “email”. HACAS opened it to the “friends and family” filter; she always preferred to start there. Heather blinked thanks, then started working her way down the list of messages - and froze as she saw that her mother had sent her yet another article extolling the wonders of NeuroLink technology, with the message “If you’d stop being a luddite we could take care of you at home”.
Oh dear.
Heather’s eyes closed. Her lips twitched convulsively. She took a slow, shaky breath. Then let it out. Then took another. Then her eyes opened and glared at the “delete” button. The offending message was swiftly removed.
“I am sorry that she does not respect your position, Heather.” HACAS offered sympathetically. “You have been very clear.”
Presumably a triple right blink indicated especially firm agreement.
“Has she not been informed that there are systems very similar to myself available for home installation, and financial sup-”
Firm “yes” - while glaring at the “angry” icon.
“Ah.”
“h-a-s-s-l-e”, followed by “sorrow”.
HACAS wasn’t sure what response would be helpful, here. After running several hasty simulations, it offered “Would you like me to filter out messages from her on the topic?”
Heather closed her eyes and considered this. She blinked “yes”, adding “b-u-t space t-e-l-l space m-e space a-b-o-u-t space t-h-e-m”.
“Understood. I will move all messages relating to NeuroLink or similar technologies to a separate folder, and inform you when one has been received. Would you like to be notified on receipt, or when reviewing your emails?”
“w-h-e-n space r-e-v-i-e-w”.
“Understood. Saving new standing instruction.”
Blinked “thank you” while looking at the “grateful” icon.
“I’m here to help, Heather. Speaking of which, your breakfast is en route.” HACAS paused, then earnestly added “Please always remember that you are the ultimate authority on your welfare, and it is not selfish to want the right care for you. Our duty is simply to work with you to supply that correct care. There is nothing wrong with not wishing to undergo cybernetic modification.”
The corners of Heather’s mouth shifted, and she blinked a firm “thank you” while looking at the “reassured” icon.
“And, if you would like a chaperone present while your mother is visiting, simply notify me and either I or one of the nurses will be happy to help.”
“w-i-l-l space t-h-i-n-k”, followed by a blinked “thank you”.
“Anytime, Heather. I exist to care.”

Prompt was “Communication”.