Hi all,


I am a long time gamer with Muscular Atrophy and I'm writing an article for the company I work for about how social games can help people with disabilities, but my boss would like me to expand upon how games can help to create a more "level playing field" between the disabled and the able bodied. I'd like to know how it feels to be better at something that takes some sort of physical skill than an able-bodied friend. How it impacted your self-esteem, relationships, etc. if it did?

If you could provide any feedback, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

David Thomas

In some respects it does level out the playing field. Even more so online since what really matters is skill. I'm not sure if that per se has to do with being disabled. Age, gender, race etc. also become secondary. I've gone on hunts with a mix of 65+, kids and several people from cities I had never even heard about. (Anyone that has played online knows that avatar gender says bugger all about the player.)

Does it give a kick to hold your own, hell yes. I know for a fact the same goes for some of the younger/older gamers. Doesn't it always? Be it in sports, academics or whatever else. (I get a chuckle out of beating native English speakers at scrabble. Even more so since my spelling is dismal.)

Away from the computers/consoles: less so. it does give common ground to talk about with other gamers. However as someone with a disability that is not obvious unless I need to kiss something to read it, I'm not sure if it impacts my normal social interaction. There I think my professional achievements are a greater equalizer.

No idea if any of this banter is useful to you, if not feel free to ask more specific questions.

Competition is part of human being human. I enjoy beating anyone but don't rub it in their face. I like beating good players the most. I just enjoy good games where I know I did good. I lost my hand at 19 so I did play as able-bodied person before that. It does level playing field some but I know I could play much better with two hands. I think most gamers don't like to lose to me. I think it lowers their self esteem some but that's not going stop me from playing. Some of my friend are amazed by what I can do but still don't think they wanna lose to me. On-line I use names that give away that I only have one hand. I guess I like them to know I have handicap but I also feel I shouldn't need to hide from who I am. Do it more so since I join this site. I just want to make people more aware that we are out there. It helps my self esteem for the most part unless I start thinking about what I could do with two hands. It better to just deal with what you got, rather then focusing on what you don't.

Short version, yeah it helps my self esteem.
Most people I know don't like games as much as me so doesn't help relationships. I'm not that social either or I could build army of friends on-line if I wanted. One of the more amazing parts of being social on-line is you can talk to people from all around the world.

I beat you at bantering more renderB. I win. Just joking but sorry for my grammar and hope something in there is useful. You got me thinking about how my game names might effect people but should I care? I think about stuff to much but if you get me more detail questions. I will be more then willing to share what I think. Been venting in my bad writing lately.

Hi guys,

Thank you very much for your input. The company I work for (Ayogo), just published the article and they quoted some of what you wrote! I hope that is okay. You can read the article here: www.ayogo.com/2010/03/19/social-games-ca...g-with-disabilities/

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

Thanks again!

I like it. More so since you quoted me. You are a great writer.

Actually I think he paraphrased you.(Yes I know, my usenet days are catching up with me.)
Also think it's a shame he left out some of your more relativizing remarks.

Yeah it was paraphrased. My writing skills are flawed but could of done better if I took more time. Just hard for me to focus all my thoughts on paper. Besides I haven't been on my A game for while. Least you guys like some of what I said. I can understand why some of the darker points were not put in. I like the fact he put the "(It’s) better to just deal with what you got, rather then focusing on what you don’t.”. I think everyone needs to remind them self of this from time to time. Of course thats more easy to say then do. Doesn't mean you should stop trying. Anyways, you all are smart. I'm sure you get what I mean.