NOTE:
please
use Google Translate to copy and paste to listen if needed.
I saw a quote once to the effect that technology makes
life easier for many, but for those with disabilities, it makes things
possible. This is so true. During Balance Awareness Week, I find myself
thinking of the many, many invisible challenges people face - technology is
about much more than electronic wheelchairs.
I can use my computer thanks to Dragon Naturally Speaking
which allows me to control my mouse with my voice, and compose with my voice if
I'm not up to using my hands. I can
listen to text by copying and pasting it into Google Translate and then
clicking on the microphone icon. I use
this SO much - not just for news items, but for e-mail as well. I use Illinois Talking Books (offered in
other states as well) and Choice Magazine Listening to listen to all kinds of
audio material. I use my public library
as well. All of this is due to
technology.
A lot of people diss over-use of smartphones, and talk
about people being so plugged in that they miss live personal
interactions. There's no question that
social media has its' downside. Like a
lot of things, it can be, and is misused by people. People use social media - whether it be
Twitter, Facebook, etc. - to post mean, horrible things both about others, and
so that the victim sees it directly. I
don't for a minute condone ANY of that.
But that doesn't take away from the good, sometimes even wonderful
things that can come of social media as well.
I'm all for people getting out and having face-to-face
interactions, but some people with invisible disorders are limited in terms of
what they can do, and where they can go.
I think it's a bit more challenging to build friendships via private
messaging; to have the same kind of depth as in person, but over time
relationships can be built. And of
course, there can be the occasional phone call.
Friendships tend to go through changes anyway, as people go through
changes. The obvious plus to connecting to people online is exactly that -
connecting to people. Whether it's
rebuilding ties from childhood or teenagehood, or discovering new friends,
either way it's good.
Easy access to info can be really helpful, as long as you get it from a reliable source. I heard of a wonderful book about Depression
called Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig (available through Amazon). I heard of another book called The Brains Way
of Healing by Norman Doidge. And I've
learned so much about my disorders from good info that people share online. These
are only a few examples.... there's tons of good info (NOT just bad info) that
reaches people quickly and easily. I'm
able to keep up to some degree on world news since I don't read newspapers or
magazines. And of course, I'm able to
share my story through my blog site, and through the wonderful organization
VEDA. That's pretty powerful, and ALL
positive!
Vestibular Disorders Assoc. - www.vestibular.org
College of Vision Development - www.covd.org
