Disabilities, and Second Life, a match made in accessible heaven!
Second Life doesn’t just blur the lines of
discrimination when it comes to the disabled, it can completely eliminate the
lines altogether. I know this from firsthand experience, which is why I chose
to do this long ‘overdue’ assignment.
In RL, I suffer from a rare, genetic
connective tissue disorder, which to sum things up (otherwise this would BE the
article,) it results in joints that don’t like to stay in place, pain, muscle
spasms, and a host of myriad secondary systemic disorders. As a result, there
are a lot of things I cannot do anymore in Real Life, but in Second Life? The
possibilities are endless! I can ride horses again, climb hills and mountains,
‘walk’ through beautiful and serene landscapes without having to worry about my
left hip staying in the socket.
That being said, I’ve experienced people run for
the hills when they approach me and strike up conversation, but you’ll be happy
to know that those are the exceptions, not the rule. Most people are happy to
talk to me, sick or not, because in SL what does it really matter? The beauty
of the anonymity of places like Second Life afford those who get stared at in
RL grocery stores, to go hiking with their best friends in a totally immersive
way. Want to FEEL like you’re actually doing that hike? Go into first person
view, and BAM! You’re there, hiking up the side of a pyramid!
I took to the ‘streets’ in SL to see how
others with disabilities have fared here in Second Life, and was lucky enough
to come in contact with Brenda Brodie, a lady who finds joy in Second Life
while dealing with Parkinson’s Disease in Real Life. She is heavily involved
with Fran Seranade who, with her daughter Barbie Alchemi, created Creations
Park*, to support Team Fox and raise awareness for Parkinson’s. Here’s what she had to say.
Brenda: I was diagnosed with
Parkinson's disease 30 years ago, at age 37.
I do very well considering the amount of time I have lived with PD. I live alone, drive a car, locally only. I cook, clean, etc. It takes me maybe 2 or 3
times longer than others to accomplish a chore, but I get it done and get it
done right. (smiling) Of course, there
are days when I cannot do much but I concentrate on the good days. I am told
that I do as well as I do because I have a positive attitude and follow my
doctor's recommendations for medication schedule. I also believe that the support from family
and my acceptance of whatever comes to me in life helps me. I started writing poetry after being
diagnosed with PD. Below you will find a
sample which is from the heart.
I
am member of the SL Creations for Parkinson's Support Group which was started
by Barbie Alchemi. We meet every Friday, in SL, to discuss how we are dealing
with the disease, our day to day living, emotional support, learning what is
going on in research, etc. I hope to find a Speech Recognition program that is
compatible with SL. The one that came
with my laptop does not work in SL. With
that in mind, there is a group called Virtual Ability that helps people with
all disabilities. I am also a member of the SL Parkinson's support group. It is comprised with a group of
compassionate, caring and loving people.(*See below article for more
information about their upcoming events to benefit Team Fox in Second Life!)
Brenda used to be a big fan
of dancing, and riding her bike through the beauty of nature. When her body
took that away from her, Second Life gave it back. She says she’s not
personally experienced any actual discrimination, though people who didn’t know
her have thought she was ‘drunk, because of all the typos and the slowness’
with which she types.
At 87, she hasn’t
let Parkinson’s win, and continues to fight it tooth and nail with happiness,
positivity, and the help of her medications. I’m honored to have been able to
meet Brenda, and to have her speak with me about Second Life, and how it can
really be a benefit to those of us users who are disabled. People can’t
discriminate against something they don’t even know is there, and I’ve found in
SL, even when you tell them it’s there, most people don’t change. Only once
have I personally experienced anyone walking away, and honestly, I’m glad for
it. It was the type of person who hits on you when you have “I love my
husband!!” smeared all over my profile, so it was no great loss. All in all,
Second Life is a fantastic place for those with disabilities, for the freedom,
socialization, and exploration it offers, not to mention all the artistic
possibilities. I say, dive in! You won’t be disappointed!!
Creations Park
Poem by Brenda:
I
WALKED ALONE THRU THE YEARS
IN
A PLACE CALLED SECOND LIFE
A
PLACE WHERE I MADE LOTS OF FRIENDS
YET
I HAVE ALWAYS FELT ALONE
THE
PEOPLE I HAVE MET OVER THE YEARS
ARE
WONDERFUL INDEED
BUT
I SOMETIMES FEEL SEPARATED FROM ALL OF THEM
BECAUSE
THEY FIND IT HARD TO UNDERSTAND MY NEED
YOU
SEE I HAVE PARKINSON'S
AND
NEED TO FEEL SAFE FROM THIS DISEASE
AND
NOW I HAVE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE…
..
NOTE: The Festival area on Creations Park will be left up
for you enjoyment through December 31st.
♥ ♥ ♥Here at CREATIONS PARK everything we do comes from
the love in our hearts. This event is about people sharing their talents to
create something positive in our world ｡◕‿◕｡VIDEO
Please be sure to watch our award winning video about the benefits of SL for
our 88 "years young" RL Mom who has Parkinson's. This will touch your
heart! Ebbe Linden (CEO of Linden Labs) has called this the most important
video ever made about Second Life!
Our RL family felt a desire to give meaning and purpose
to the hours we spent in-world. Our dad died with Parkinson's and our mother,
Fran Seranade, has it now. To quote her "I may have Parkinson's, but it
does not have me." At 88 years young, she is active in Second Life and is
thrilled to see herself running, and dancing again. Those of us in Second Life
can have fun while knowing we are making a difference in the real world.
DONATIONS
100% of all donations go to Team Fox for The Michael J
Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. We believe it is important for you to
know how your donations are being spent. Our family covers all tier and
expenses so that all donations are given to research.
BE SURE TO VISIT ALL 6 UNIQUELY BEAUTIFUL LEVELS on
CREATIONS PARK
ღღღ
Loving Hugs from our Creations Family
Barbie Alchemi - Founder of Creations for Parkinson's
Fran Seranade - Our loving RL Mom
AlmostThere Inventor - RL
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