This thought came to me over the weekend as the hotel I was staying at with my wife for a fun overnight stay at the beach had a wedding going on that we both later noticed had many attendees that spoke only sign language. This prompted me to think about wargaming in a new light....Disabilities and Wargaming.
We don't see many people with disabilities playing wargames, well at least major ones. Sure we have people that participate in the hobby that may be color blind or have other illnesses but what about wheelchair, those with hard of hearing issues or even blind? Do they or we exclude them from our society because of the expectations of the gaming world?
One of the best disabilities and wargaming figures is Michael Perry (better known as the Perry brothers) whom lost his right arm during a historical recreation when a cannon misfired. He continued to sculpt and paint enjoy the hobby despite the setback life had given him.
Think about it, you are at the hobby store, you are approached by someone that is deaf but has other means to communicate with you (reading lips, using type and talk on a phone, writing down something on paper or perhaps you understand sign language) and they were interested in the hobby would you offer to show them how to play and run a game for them? A serious question to think about.
I would personally do everything I could to accommodate the other person and introduce them to the hobby to the best of my ability. How about you? Do you know someone with an exceptional story? Share it!
I was in a wheelchair for three years and I'm telling you that there are few places that are really designed for a person in a chair. A simple example is a doctors office. The doors aren't automatic and chairs are crammed everywhere. There is literally no place to park your chair. Most of the time, I'd park just outside the bathroom in a hallway. The world is not built for people who do not fit "the norm" and it never will be. It's always up to the disabled person to "rise above" their disability and find ways to make their lives work.
ReplyDeleteI do think the gaming community are a very inclusive and friendly bunch of people though. I can't imagine any of you shutting someone out because they had a disability, most of you would be helpful, friendly and welcoming.
Thanks Anne, I agree with your statement and perhaps we as a community needs to look at this aspect in our offerings to store setup for gaming for those less advantaged than others.
DeleteIt puts things into perspective when you think about things like this.
Hi styx, this isn't an "exceptional story" just yet, but maybe it will be one day.
ReplyDeleteMy wife is disabled due to issues with her spine that have not only severely restricted her mobility, but they also leave her in constant pain. Outside the house, she uses a wheelchair, but sometimes inside the house she can get around with a walker, although it tires her out quickly.
She's a wargame fan and plans to try out a Nosferatu warband for Empire of the Dead, and she used to regularly kick my butt at Blood Bowl, although we haven't played in years as her condition has deteriorated. After two surgeries this year, she still spends the bulk of her time in a recliner, which lets her get in a position that minimizes the pain. There's no way she could lean over a wargames table, even one if I set it up on the relatively low coffee table we have.
So what I plan to do is to rig a "remote viewing system" for her. I want to get a wireless minicam and suspend it over the table so she can view it on her laptop. She spends a lot of her time on the computer, so I know that won't pose any difficulty for her holding it for the length of an average skirmish game. She can get a bird's-eye-view of the tabletop and I'll move pieces at her direction.
(I'm real good at taking orders like that!)
I've checked into a couple of items around the hundred dollar mark or less but haven't had a chance to pick anything up yet to try it out. Hopefully after the holidays. Once I do, I'll detail the project on my blog, dispatchesfromtherim.blogspot.com, if anybody is interested.
Thanks for bringing up this issue, styx. It's one close to my heart.
That's beautiful Christopher had a horrible day and you have cheered me immensely; I may have even teared up a little.
DeleteI will definitely follow your progress.
I think every story is an exceptional story to be honest. What you are doing is a great thing and be sure to tell your wife that you are a great guy both of you are blessed to be with one another.
DeleteAs a side thought you could look at perhaps even working on a board that could slant or angle with the use of magnents for scenery and figures making it easier for her to see or interact as well.
I would love to see this featured on your blog and make sure to let me know you make progress I will be happy to point people your way.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Minitrol and styx. I'll definitely keep you updated once I start making progress on this. Thanks for the slantboard/magnetized figs idea, styx. I hadn't considered that.
DeleteMy best to you both.
Oh, and my wife and I both realize how blessed we are to have each other. She's the light of my life!
What a fantastic topic.
ReplyDeleteWe had a regular attend our national tournaments who had no arms or legs. I never knew if he lost them in an accident/disease/born that way. It didn't matter he was a great guy and of course he had help playing but he decided all the moves (by his admission he wasn't the greatest gamer) no one grumbled he could take a while which is problematic in a tournament but not insurmountable. He used to roll the dice by holding them in his chin then releasing them which was awesome.
Anyway I doubt there was anyone that didn't treat him as a gamer. He was into terrible black metal, bad sci fi references, beer, chips and awesome models what more is there?
Also he was encouraging to other gamers always the gentleman.
Thanks! That is another great story there...
DeleteThat sounds like one cool dude who would fit in at any gaming table I've ever been around. I loved your decription of his dice-rolling technique! Thanks for sharing that.
DeleteMy wife's sister before she passed away suffered juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (among other things) through her life and the few years I had around her showed her love of board games and we played things when we could. It was a challenge for her as she lost both legs over the years, as well as her hands due to the arthritis was curled so it made it hard to manipulate things. I can tell she enjoyed every moment we played anything with her including Clue as one of her favorites....
ReplyDeleteUgh juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a terribly cruel thing. That's really lovely and I think all of these highlight as always the importance of offering the opportunity - someone can always so but it never hurts us to extend the gaming gauntlet.
DeleteAnother example of the deep connections that people are able to make through gaming. I'm sure she appreciated your efforts and your skills as an opponent! Again, thanks for bringing this topic up.
DeleteI'd like to think most people would help. I know I certainly would. We already use play aids for wargaming so i suppose these could be modified with ease depending on the disability.
ReplyDeleteGood point. It might be worth all our while to do a little pre-planning for public events to have some such aids available. I'm thinking reaching sticks, maybe pre-printed instructions, perhaps some items available in large print ... I dunno, that's just off the top of my head.
ReplyDeleteChris, that is a damm good point there. I worked for GW as an employee and outrider and as far as I know, they really didn't have anything in place during a Games Day to deal with needs of possible visitors....
DeleteThere was an article in Battlegames a couple of issues ago by a blind wargamer.
ReplyDeleteIn my own gaming life I haven't encountered anyone with an obvious disability (have seen a couple of folks in wheelchairs at gaming shows), but I think all the gamers I know would do everything possible to help them with their hobby.
Great blog post, and I'm the guy who wrote the Battlegames article. I do most of my wargaming solo, as I'm not comfortable putting my opponent to the trouble of dealing with my requirements. Its not that I don't think s/he wouldn't accommodate, its just easier for me to do the solo thing. There's a wargame con near me (TexaCon) that I keep considering going to, but never got the gumption yet. ;)
ReplyDeleteAs a blind gamer, the big problem is my need to constantly handle the minis. I need to do so not only to recognize units, but determine facing and distances. Many people get a bit twitchy when someone else handles their minis.
Mike S.