This
morning I remembered (in time) that there was a meeting at the Murdoch
Institute for M.E./CFS in Second Life. To my delight the meeting room
was full of people, or I suppose the correct term is avatars? (
I 'googled' the term: An avatar
is a computer user's representation of himself/herself or alter ego. )
So, the room was full of avatars, in all sorts of wonderful and
fantastical outfits. My top rating goes to 'Dianne', dressed as a fairy!
Wonderful! I am a little jealous, as I have just about managed to
change into a t-shirt and trousers.... as for my shoes... I (Yona
Spearfoot) am now walking on what I can only describe as '
shoes with halos'. (Help to change
them, gladly accepted!)
Getting the hang of this second life is
almost as challenging as living in the first one, but at least you are
only one click away from ''quit' and, presto, Yona Spearfoot has gone to
'virtual sleepyland' for a while.
But, my goodness is it fun to
be there.
Walking into doors and walls, which I had given up in my
first life, I relived here in full flow, BUT it does not hurt. It just
makes me laugh! The time I tried to 'have a drink on M.E.' at the
exhibition (see earlier post)... will I tell you?... I obviously clicked
the wrong button as I ended up standing on the table, next to the
bottle of wine and the glasses,... and that was even without a drop of
alcohol in my avatar body.
Second life is also fulfilling my
dreams. It is possible to FLY (
at last,
Fit To Fly!) A wonderful experience in which my (then dress)
fluttered in the wind. The landing it even more fun, as one lands rather
ungraciously on the ground. One time I landed in the sea and found
myself walking among the fishes.
By chance, I found a hot air balloon
waiting for me to fly in.
Yes,
there have been some embarrassing moments too. One that I recall is
when I was creating a sculpture in the sandpit. Again I clicked on the
wrong button and found myself sitting in the sandpit, in my knickers...
So glad that nobody else was there!
Of course there is a serious
side to this M.E. Centre in Second life. (SL)
'Kirsty Bearfoot',
who's mother has M.E., became passionate to make the condition more
understood, and to alliviate the fact that so many people with M.E. are
isolated. Many are housebound or even bed bound. Kirsty received funding
from the Australian government to research if a group on SL, would
alleviate some of the isolation that people are experiencing.
I think
she has succeeded.
SL is a place to be well, to have fun, to
have a body, an avatar, that is healthy. It is a place to relax, to meet
other people, to sit by the sea, or a crackling fire.
There are
regular meetings where people can meet others with the condition/or
their family members or friends, and talk about their treatment, about
their isolation, about anything really.
Today there was quite a
big group and the discussion was about the Soy Kefir research. Dianne, a
regular visitor to SL, (who has brought me around exhibitions and sat
with me in the sunshine), said that there was a slide show about the
research in 'the other room'. It was decided that we move there. I had
to laugh when we all stood up, and manage to loose our guide. There we
were, this wonderfully weird looking group of avatars wandering
aimlessly in the hallway.
All gathered again, the discussion
continued about treatment. At some point someone ('Petra' ?) asked 'does
anybody have a bloated belly?' Many responded with a yes.
Dianne
wrote on her message
The Meeting of
the Jelly Bellies.
I thanked her for given me the title of my
next blog!
Murdoch
University is a good place to visit, for anyone with M.E./CFS (
warning: do set a time limit!) or
for anyone interested to learn more about the condition. There is lots
of information available there and a quite touching exhibition of works
and words created by people with M.E.
Thank you 'Kirsty' for
inviting me to this world, and for 'Dianne' to be my guide and
companion.
I wish you all well!
.
Her avatar name in Second Life is Yona Spearsong.
