a good article about SL and health issues

Well said Oryx. I wonder how many people like your friend are finding that SL enhances their quality of life.

Regarding time spent in world, I don't see any difference in that or the 8 hours a day I used to play Myst. And what about "before" computers? How many hours did we spend laying on the couch watching TV? It's all about balance between your fun time and your health care time.

I started a daily habit recently that makes me feel less guilty for my time spent online. First I take care of RL stuff. Phone calls, housework, etc. Then I take a long walk with my dog for the excersize. After these things are finished, I'm free to play.

SL has been a wonderful tool for the disabled. I've met many of them in world and they feel happier than they have in years. I entered SL at a time when I felt extremely let down by the real world. SL has helped me to remember that not all people are heartless jerks.

Good plan, Roxi! Enjoy SL guilt-free and take care of yourself at the same time.

I think a dog is a great thing for SL addicts -- they help to keep us from going overboard.

Absolutely Void, it's great that the positive aspects of SL are getting some well deserved attention. There's a real sense of belonging both in SL and on the forums. It's great that when you have questions that you want to ask, there's a place where you're sure to have people respond and help you the best they can.... Maybe the powers that be should make a sticky out of this thread to serve as a reminder that not everyone is a greifer or suchlike.

Here in SL, there was an Avie, who was Controlled by the care Giver for a group of Six severely Disabled Adults in an Extended Care Home. They directed her actions, and chose where they went, and what they did, and the care Giver did the Actual Control for them. In SL, they were Able to Talk, Flirt, Dance, Fly, Explore. They were able to be Understood. They were accepted for who they were, and Not seen as a collection of Wheelchair bound Infirmities (I remember one of them loved Flirting with me Shamelessly, and All of them, male and female got a Charge when i gave it right back. ). Of ALL the new found freedoms they enjoyed, all the possibilities for Creation and Interaction, ONE thing stood out for them as their All time favorite Activity.
They Loved Going out for a Walk.

The freedom we all take for Granted is mostly denied these people, Imagine how wonderful it is for them to be Out in a safe virtual World where their Bodies are no longer a Hinderance, or a source of Pity, or prejudice. What a Godsend.


Some Time ago, In TSO, I knew a Woman who was Undergoing Chemo-Therapy, Battling with terminal cancer for a few extra Months Of Life. She Came into TSO so she could Feel Young, beautiful, and desirable again, Possibly for the Last time in her life. I met her, and we had a relationship, For as long as her Illness allowed her to Remain at the computer. After a while, she stopped coming, and i Knew in my heart what had Happened, though her family never logged in to Confirm it.
I'll Never forget when she Told me How Much being with me helped her Fight. Just feeling like a Young, Vital Woman again helped her forget how her Body was Betraying, and Abandoning her.

Being On Line didn't Cure her, But it made her last few months of life FEEL like life, Instead of a long string of Indignities, Pains, and Illnesses. It Helped her remember, and Enjoy the Blessing of Just being Alive, At a time when Death might seem to some, a Welcome releif.

I Miss her

Angel.

Angel, I cried when I read your above post. How gorgeous and wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

What beautiful stories Angelique, thanks for posting those. It seems I shared a tear with Oryx there.

I guess we can but hope that this little universe of ours continues to provide such opportunies, friendship, freedom and creativity to all who enter it.

SL used to help paralyzed patients in Japan:

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5huaC9fnUY7gEVtK-K8pt_5lorjaw