Share this @internewscast.com
Insight speaks with tech enthusiasts and abstainers, and those experiencing tech addictions — asking, are we too reliant on our digital devices? Watch Insight episode Your Brain On Tech on SBS On Demand.

Thumbnail of Your Brain On Tech

In October 2018, I was admitted to the hospital for the 13th time in two years for autoimmune disease lupus-related infections.
I had agonising back pain that caused me to scream whenever I breathed; my lung had collapsed, and I had pneumonia.

After a week, I was discharged and went home with another course of antibiotics. However, my recovery would soon take a dire turn.

I was making lunch for myself one day in the weeks following my release from hospital, and I remember standing over the stove, not feeling well. I felt dizzy and weak but couldn’t quite put my finger on why.
Given my history of poor health, I was used to feeling crappy. But as a result, I sometimes struggled with identifying what is ‘normal’ or life-threatening for my ailing body.

This is where my smartwatch came in.

I sat down with my bowl of pasta and thought to check my smartwatch for my heart rate. It was 131bpm. I do love my carbs, but that was abnormal — even for me.
I ate a few mouthfuls and started to feel worse. I checked my heart rate again — it was now 145bpm.

As a normal resting heart rate for adults generally is between 60-100bpm, it was time to call triple-zero.

‘My face felt like it was on fire’

In the ambulance, I was shaking and shivering with a temperature of around 40C.
My face felt like it was on fire, my heart was racing, and my resting heart rate reached 189bpm.
At the hospital, doctors did bedside scans to figure out what was wrong with me while also trying to stabilise me with multiple IV drips.

This was now the 14th hospital admittance I had had in two years for lupus-related issues.

a young woman in a hospital bed with an oxygen mask over her mouth and an IV drip going into her arm

Corinne during her hospitalisation for septic shock. Source: Supplied

My mum was there holding my hand. And I told her: “If you have a choice, please let me go, Mum — I can’t do this anymore.” This is when my memory of that incident ends.

I had septic shock, which was a complication from a collapsed lung and pneumonia paired with my chronic conditions.

And I truly believe that heeding the smartwatch’s warning saved my life.

Seizures and smart speakers

The months of recovery was both physically and mentally challenging but the decision to buy another smartwatch when my old one eventually died was easy.
As someone with multiple chronic illnesses, I find technology really helps me to understand my body in the day-to-day.

While the data from these devices might not be entirely precise, the insights they offer assist in interpreting the ‘unique language’ my body communicates. I believe this technology serves as a valuable translator for my body’s signals.

a woman in a yellow t shirt and rainbow glasses is tucked up in bed using a tablet

Corinne says she finds tech helpful in managing her chronic health conditions. Source: Supplied

I also experience seizures with my condition. As a safety measure, my husband and I have set up several smart speakers in different rooms of the house — including the bathroom.

This means that I can listen to music to distract myself from the worry of having a seizure while showering. It also allows me to tell the built-in AI assistant to call my husband when I feel a seizure coming on.

Showering used to be a very vulnerable part of the day, but now I have some peace of mind that help can come.

‘Tech is not inherently good, nor evil’

I know that for many, the thought of integrating more technology into our everyday lives can cause concern over potential over-reliance.
My view on this is that tech is here to stay and we are living in modern times. We can choose to embrace it or reject it in our own lives — but it won’t change its prevalence in the world.
I mostly use tech devices as safety precautions in managing my health (with smatterings of social media for work and connecting with loved ones — where my disabilities often preclude me from doing so physically).

I’m excited for the future of technology and to see in which ways it can benefit me.

I believe it is our choice as to the roles digital devices play.
It’s your choice to pick them up, and it’s your choice what you do when you’re on them. If you put your phone down, it’s not going to jump back into your hand.
Tech is not inherently good, nor evil — that’s a hill I’ll die on — but hopefully not anytime soon.
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

PM Sets Bold Deadline for Bondi Reforms as Parliament Reconvenes

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged the Coalition to support the government’s…
Piper James, 19, was found dead on K'Gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, yesterday morning surrounded by a pack of about 10 dingoes.

Teenager Found Deceased Among Dingoes on Queensland Island Has Been Identified

A Canadian teenager who was found dead on a Queensland beach was…
Hyde Park is the traditional starting point for the Invasion Day rally.

Sydney Protest Ban Extended with Adjustments in Preparation for Australia Day, Announce Police

NSW Police have announced an extension of the protest ban for the…

Coalition Split on Hate Legislation as Greens Raise Free Speech Issues, Despite Liberal Amendments

The Opposition has fractured over Labor’s anti-hate laws after Liberal amendments created…
Underworld boss wins legal fight over prison conditions

Crime Kingpin Triumphs in Court Over Prison Living Standards

Notorious criminal figure George Marrogi has secured a legal victory concerning his…

Trump Connects Greenland Proposal to Nobel Prize Disappointment, Vows to Proceed with Tariff Threats

Key Points Norway’s government has released a message United States President Donald…

Alleged Antisemitic Incident Leaves Jewish Teens Traumatized, Reports Police

Victoria Police have announced the identification of two individuals connected to an…

Breaking the Billionaire Boom: How a Wealth Tax Could Disrupt the Cycle of Growing Inequality

As the world’s billionaires grow richer by the day, a few dozen…
Veronika the cow uses a broom in a variety of ways to scratch itches.

Revolutionary Discovery: Broom-Wielding Cow Challenges Scientific Understanding of Animal Behavior

For generations, scientists considered the use of tools to be the defining…
CCTV footage shows the ute performing a u-turn and tailing the boys as they tried to run away.

Authorities Search for Vehicle After Jewish Teens Report Being Pursued and Subjected to Antisemitic Abuse

Police are hunting for occupants of a white Ute which allegedly followed…
Police said the attack was random and came as a result of an altercation.

Man Indicted for Murder More Than a Year After Alleged ‘Random’ Fatal Attack

A man has been charged with murder more than a year after…
China's birth rate plunges to lowest level since comunist revolution

China’s Birth Rate Hits Historic Low: A New Era of Demographic Challenges Begins

The official birth rate in China has plunged to its lowest level…