WoW and people with disabilities?

Elízabéth Moren wrote:I never knew so many people here had problems/disabilities!

And that Elizabeth is a good thing. Why should you, or I, or anyone know? We don't have to/need to. Unless the people wish to tell us. It doesn't matter. Certainly not in game, where it doesn't effect the character (ok, so some disabilities can, obviously have a effect on how a person is able to portray their character). It could be informative to know, if you care about someone if they have an illness, disease, disability. If course it could. It can help us work/live together - recognising and overcoming the barriers that might be there.

Because real life is full barriers. Disability is still judged, we live in a society where judging is easy, don't fool yourself into thinking it isn't. Mental health is still a tabboo subject. Some people baulk at the sight/knowledge of someone's difference. You know, the whole "easier to judge and mock, than to try to understand". We can still judge in WoW (on someone's skill, or even on their choice of class/race, in game our characters could judge another character for myriad reasons "dey iz gnome, dey iz food"...), but we can also escape judgement, play in a world that defies personal judgement.

But the interwebs and MMOs can make it both easier to judge, and easier for judging to not matter. We're anonymous here for, the main. And pixels offer "protection". Both to those who would use it negatively (trolling forums, to personal attacks in a game), and those who use it in a much more positive fashion. People who use a pixel world to help escape the problems of a real world, or come here like many others, for fun/challenges/friends.

It's kinda a base analogy, but if you're not mobile in the big wide world, for whatever reason, there's nothing stopping your character from being able to literally fly in an MMO world. Whilst that interaction isn't ever "the same" as in the real one, it can be something important to someone - or like I and others have said, it could just be for fun.

Marrenus wrote:And, sadly, as far as friendship in WoW may go, it rarely and I mean RARELY goes beyond that. Because, let's face it, most people have a straight line between "WoW" and "A geek with no life" leading to them denying the very fact they play it. Personally? Yeah, I tell friends I play WoW, they're ok with that, I'm ok with that and, more importantly, I dont care so much about WoW to talk about it 24/7 with people who are not interested.

This though, I dunno... maybe I am lucky (and "rarely" seems less rare, when it's about yourself in a way...). I have some very good friends I have made through WoW (maybe thats the distinction?). In real life I meet them often as I can. Whilst the converstations occasionally dip into WoW (it's a hobby we all enjoy, thats normal) they tend to be about everything else the world has to offer, the other things we have in common, or don't. And WoW also brought me someone much more than a friend. It's the where I found my girlfriend, but it isn't the only place we "live". If it was, then yes, that's a one-dimensional life, not a full one. Life/love/friendship needs as many dimensions as you can give it for it to be "full". And no game can interact with senses other than aural and visual.

And, I don't care so much about anything to talk about it 24/7. Theres too much else in the world!

Trave/Vargosh/Thandros wrote:
P.S Hugging isn't awkward, its awesome. Provided you want the hug.

True (despite the fact that I never give anyone physical contact, such a hug, and they never give me one... ), but imagine giving someone completely random, on the street, whom you have just met and has started talking to you - a hug... Each and every time you're meant to look at them... If you still think that's not awkward, I'm pretty sure a kiss or crotch-grab to every random person you meet would get you to realise the feeling (even if it is a bit of a drastic example).

As another example of how this could interfere with my life, there's this one person I've always wanted to be friends with - much like myself, he's timid and speaks only when necessary. The problem? First time, he approached me as if to join in a conversation I was having with friends, I just stopped speaking and looked away to avoid making eye-contact. I could tell then, when I planned to try and turn back, that I was getting a glare off him. Second time, I ended up starting an awkward conversation which involved me saying "The thing I really don't get is how I can never look you in the eye, or speak to you directly" etc. Quite literally, that was what I said. Very awkward moment where he mutters slightly before backing away slowly (probably assuming I was Gay, I would think, because I had said "Can never look at you in the eye" etc.). Not to mention, the times I do speak, he can rarely hear what I'm saying...

Elízabéth Moren wrote:And now I suddenly have a great urge to give Etular a tacklehug and give him loads of cookies.

*backs away slowly* I is pacifist! Don't hurts me! On the otherhand, I likes teh cookies. Nomnomnomnomnom.

Elízabéth Moren wrote:
And Linea, I share the pain of going to a school full of chavs >.>

Don't we all?

I want a tacklehug too, about a million people owe me one.
Also, readin etulars first post on this page, that is so like me!
I have only 2-3 friends at school, and am pretty seclusive and quiet. Anyone who knows me online will tell you that I am totally different, much more open, loudmouthed, funny etc.
God bless the Internet.

To people who are still in mid/high school (As in, the one you go to at ~10-17 as I'm not sure how it's actually called in Europe) - Just finish it then forget about it. Really. That part of your life is like being forced into a wolfpack, with alpha male & everything. Truth is, active school "alphas" often end up either in prison (Yeah, it's harder to beat the money out of people later on in life) or being used by people who pull the strings (As those rarely have the charisma to give speeches, etc.). So having few friends at this time is nothing to worry about, since everyone is forced into school nowadays and the kinda crowd you end up in is usually 80% assholes.

On another note...
Throughout this thread I see one point being made quite often: "Being anonymous is awesome!". Yes. Yes indeed it is. Sure, some will use it to be an arse, but hey, everything can be used to be an arse. Besides, internet has one nifty feature missing in real life called "Ignore".

But regardless, I see some very informative stuff here; Carry on.

Marrenus wrote:To people who are still in mid/high school (As in, the one you go to at ~10-17 as I'm not sure how it's actually called in Europe) - Just finish it then forget about it.

That goes for everyone.

Marrenus wrote:To people who are still in mid/high school (As in, the one you go to at ~10-17 as I'm not sure how it's actually called in Europe) - Just finish it then forget about it. Really. That part of your life is like being forced into a wolfpack, with alpha male & everything. Truth is, active school "alphas" often end up either in prison (Yeah, it's harder to beat the money out of people later on in life) or being used by people who pull the strings (As those rarely have the charisma to give speeches, etc.). So having few friends at this time is nothing to worry about, since everyone is forced into school nowadays and the kinda crowd you end up in is usually 80% assholes.

On another note...
Throughout this thread I see one point being made quite often: "Being anonymous is awesome!". Yes. Yes indeed it is. Sure, some will use it to be an arse, but hey, everything can be used to be an arse. Besides, internet has one nifty feature missing in real life called "Ignore".

But regardless, I see some very informative stuff here; Carry on.

Two points, and firstly *wipes mouth after saying* I kinda agree with Marrenus here. Mid/high school is a time when a lot of kids go through a lot of change. They make the first in roads into becoming "adults". But it's not adulthood. It's school. It's not the end of the world at School. Not everyone is meant to "fit in". Very much the wolf pack thing. And you know, alpha dogs are only alpha so long. School is something we have to do. Finish it, and move on. Don't get lost in it.

The other point, about anonymity. Whilst I did say it has positive sides, I think its got so many negative ones. And nothing, nothing at all , beats actual people, not just the pixels. But maybe thats just me, personally. That's a pune, or a play on words (I do wonder how many people think "pun" is actually written "pune"...). Ignore does exist, in fact it's even more powerful in RL than online really. And this kinda brings us back to why the online world can be so "opening" and "free". Because whilst someone might be ignored IRL, because of their disabilities, colour, gender, religion, sexuality, whatever, they can come somewhere they're not ignored. And so the circle turns.

Or some such guff.

That's deep. And Im digging it.

Life gets a lot, lot, lot, lot, lot, lot better after high school and I cannot emphasize that enough. It's a natural, human survival instinct to conform and "be a part of the herd" so naturally, those who do not conform and are not part of "the herd" will be pushed away. Thankfully though, most people begin to grow out of that mentality once they (finally) grow up and leave high school.

I don't have any disabilities (not that I am aware of at least!) but what I like about WoW is the diversity here. Everybody comes from different places, you get to meet all sorts of different people from different cultures - it's terrific. Not only that, but I really like the social aspect of the game. I am as social as I am in WoW as I am in the real world, if that makes sense, with the only difference being that I don't "hold back" in WoW: I can truly be myself here without caring if I get called a fag, fairy or whatever.

I'm not going to say high school was absolutely and completely horrible because I did have my own group of friends and all the girls of my year with me (hawhaw) but still, high school is a "$@?" to anyone who is different in even the slightest way.

If it helps any, it gets a hell of a lot easier in College if/when you go. Because of my disabilities, I went straight into college after finishing at 18; however, I have yet to leave college. I've been there for 4 years now, coming up to 5 years when I start my next course. The reason for me being there is it's properly preparing myself to go out into the world, what's even better is you get a handy department called "student support". They give a helper if you need it and sessions to help you with your homework, you can also get a helper in class if you need it.

College is better than school by a mile because, not only can you learn the same things in school if you miss it because of circumstances, you also get interaction with mature people. It's hard for a bully to come out and make fun of you in college because if they do, they get kicked out and no money refund for their course while it also gets attached to their personal record while in school it gets dismissed.

While I'm still in college to get ready for the big-bad world, I still have trouble interacting with other pupils or going out with them out of college hours; by all means, I've yet to go out with them. So I don't know, if you still feel not ready to face the world when you get out of school, go to college.

So far, what I've done at college is 2 years of a course called Workwise (a course involving those with disabilities and other life issues; everyone in the class was either autistic, in a wheelchair or dyslexic), a degree on Environment and Heritage (1 year) before going into an art portfolio class. This year, I'm doing a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in art.

Jakins wrote:what's even better is you get a handy department called "student support".

Important that. Well, I would say that, it's what I do (though in Higher Education - University).

I have played WoW in the most casual way possible since the beta. It became a daily habit only about three years ago, while I was going through what I'd call one of the toughest times in my life. I used to spend the entire day (like literally, at least 12 hours a day) in-game, because I obviously couldn't handle real life back then. During that time, I met many people with whom I spent a lot of time with and who I can sincerely call friends today. Although the tough time went by and I managed to bring back a healthy balance between real life and WoW, those certain people still are and will continue to be very good friends of mine, especially after breaking the online barrier and meeting some of them IRL as well.

I don't know if I have any disabilities as of today (I guess we all have issues one way or another *cough*), apart perhaps from the scars the past was kind enough to give me. If there's a good thing about WoW, it's the fact that it applied a thicker skin on me. I don't handle haters the same way I used to three years ago and it will take someone quite the effort/time to notice any negative effects on me. Strangely enough, this applies to my real life as well. I used to be overly emotional and vulnerable, but not anymore.

Intrawebz & WoW. Making people tougher since 2004

I find it rare interesting to read that a lot of people had or are having a hard time in their mid/high school. I had some of the best times there. Can't even remember anyone at all getting bullied in my year. Ofcourse there were wallflowers and people who didn't want to get noticed, but they never got hate, not from the popular kids at least (with whom I was hanging out). Maybe it's different in other countries, but where I went to school, school was awesome. Met a lot of people with whom I still hang out weekly or even daily, despite all moving away from our hometown.
The fact stated that popular kids end up in the gutter is BS too, btw, as many of my friends and I all went to a university.

Ah, this is an interesting thread! My theory is that a lot of people flock to the internet in this day and age as a form of escapism. Regardless of whatever problems they have going on in their real life, they can at least to an extent, find refuge online.

Now, although I'm studying psychology I'm far from an expert on the matter, but it is an issue that piques my curiousity to a great extent. I'd say it is a combination of times changing to pretty much make the internet an ever increasing necessity and way of life, to the fact that the real world is very, very stressful at times.

Still, no one in perfect and every single individual out there has at least one physical or mental disability. Not to mention issues can arise at any point in ones lifetime, regardless of however healthy they seemingly are. It is for that very reason that I try to be understanding of everyone I meet, regardless of their issues.

I've never had any big problems IRL and dont think i will have many of them in the future, I'm a positive person an' get around very well while still playing WoW and RPing there.
I think most people RP 'cause they enjoy it and want to experience things through the game which is way easier then in RL.
I mean, as Archal stated it just now, I dont find it rare to hear people having hard time in Mid/high school 'cause i'm in my last year in mid school and there is over 700 students there, there is bullying and hating lots, I dont deny that i haven't done it myself either but i guess it's just diffrent in other countries.
And yes it's pretty true that mos' popular kids end up in gutter, but hey i'm enjoying my time in school 120% and still play WoW etc.

When this topic was first created I was very tempted to take the piss but controlled myself cause it might've been offending. Now I'd like to just point out that this is probebly the best topic posted on these forums so far.

I was a horrible student back in the days and was put on more then 5 diffrent highschools. But regarding the bullying and hating, its everywhere not just school. I also dont think "the most popular kids" always end up having 7 children from 3 diffrent momma's that is just a myth your teachers and parents tell you to make you feel better.

Actually I think this is a great topic as well, I'm quite surprised at all the stories here, not because of them but for the way you told them and all. I can't express myself correctly, but I think it's not easy for you to expose as people can be assholes easily and all. I don't feel sorry for anyone who has a disability of some kind, ofc I'm not happy with them having it but that doesn't change what and who I think they are.

Also, these reasons are something that make me think a lot (I have a part of a sociologist in me) as well as why people like this or that chose this race or that one and so on. Well, on topic, I think WoW offers more than a game, it's quite a gigantic community that offers a second, third, fourth life. I've met people over the game who used to have different approaches (extreme ones as arrogant / humble, asshole/nice person) according to the character they were playing on. Well, as WoW offers that many possibilities, it's natural that people who aren't very happy with their IRL lives pass much more time in the game than people who have a lot to do and are happy with what they do. But that's just a standard, there are exceptions as well. We've read lots of them around here, people who chose WoW just because they like it. I don't have any disability myself that I know of, I have plenty to do IRL and still I want to spend some time in this game because i simply love it. As for the whole socializing thing, I don't have problems whatsoever, i'm pretty much the same person IRL and in-Game / Internet. I'm selective tho I can call someone I only know on WoW / Internet a friend, of course. Friendship is made by actions ans support, not because you dance with people IRL or go for a drink together.

As for the high school thing, yeah I had a hard time when I entered, cause I was one of those who simply refused to be just another Lamb and follow some "Alpha". Instead I chose to become an "Alpha" myself, as I think it should be, not bullying or being stupid/asshole to anyone and still getting enough people around me and I did it. I didn't have to be an asshole or anything to have people around me, I could be nice and still pull the right people. But anyways I quote Shaelyssa there, life become much more kewl after highschool. :] It just depends both on your personality and how do you take things. I like to be a leader myself and I don't go down easily, if ever. Why should I bend to some stupid bully or avoid him? Just put his attitude up his arse. Really. As Quin said, you'll find them for the rest of your life, they'll be on your University, on your job, you might even get one or two that'll cross your path randomly. You just have to show them who you are and that you're strong enough to spit on their assholeness. As you do that, you'll inspire others. :] ( /chucknorris )

Tho over the internet, just chill out really, being an asshole on the internet is even more retarded and it won't pay off any suffering that you might have been through IRL (Goons could remember this actually). But this is my point of view ofc :]