But for Tess Pearce, a futuristic device could help make her dreams reality.

Tess, a Year 10 student at Ballarat Secondary College, has cerebral palsy.

She is confined to a wheel chair, with limited use of her hands. Previously, that has meant she could only use a computer with the aid of a head pointer, a long pointer strapped to her head enabling her to type one key at a time.

But that has all changed.

Thanks to a massive fundraising effort spearheaded by the school's integration team and former Ballarat Citizen of the year Bob Reynolds, she now has use of "My Tobii".

Worth more than $30,000, the incredible machine from Sweden allows Tess to control a computer screen attached to her wheelchair using only eye movements.

The movements are tracked using near infrared lights to pick up where the user's eyes look.

That means Tess can do assignments with comparative ease, using an on screen keypad, and even deliver speeches as a school captain using voice technology.

A message she typed out using the device neatly summed up the advantages of My Tobii for the 16-year-old.

"With this new technology I will now be able to complete my school with more independence."

For Tess, a high academic achiever who wants to study law and become a disability advocate, that means everything. The school's integration coordinator Barb Fix said the college and the broader Ballarat community had helped raise the money needed for the device, incredibly, in

just under a year.

Mr Reynolds, a Wendouree Lions member, had sold Rotary Club of Ballarat South raffle tickets fro months to help make it happen.

A government grant, a $10,000 donation from the Timbeck Foundation and the generosity of a Melbourne clothing store, Michael Francis Clothing all contributed to the required amount.

And to all these people, Tess had one simple message.

"Thanks."