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Personal STO story, and a thank you to everyone
grimus99
Member Posts: 13 Arc User
Hello all,
Originally I wanted to reach out to the devs and share my story and how much there work has helped me in more ways then I could describe, but I figured if I did it this way someone would be able to relate and share there story as well. So some basic back sotry. About a year and a half ago I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury at work. It was a simple accident but has changed so much.
I have been a on and off player since launch, and been pretty constant since free to play, but still somewhat a casual player. After my injury I started to have some serious side effects. Short term memory loss, Comprehension troubles, loss of words, severe depression, anxiety/panic attacks, and suicidal tendencies.
So that's enough of the sob story history. Here's is why I am really writing. After a few months, many Doctors, tests and even a hospital stay I started to train myself how to survive. And that's how Star Trek Online comes to play. I started to play a lot after those few months. And started noticing that I was able to communicate a little easier after playing. My memory had improved a little bit, as long with comprehension and my demeanor and attitude was a little less meaner.
By playing STO I was rebuilding my brain a little bit at a time. And to this day I play for every 2 to 3 hours in the morning. I wake up a zombie unable to do very much, and after my usual STO retinue I come out less of a train wreck and able to take care of my kids and am now a stay at home dad who is fairly happy. Now is it all due to Cryptic and the hard work everyone does....no not at all. But the game has helped me so much and to that I owe a debt of gratitude.
And even better, throughout this time I have made very good friends who make fun of me when I TRIBBLE up words, or forget someone's name, and I know there not being mean but helping me along. I have even met someone I consider a friend who has walked a path similar to mine.
So that's enough of boring you. I could go into great detail and bore you guys even more, vut I won't. If someone wants to ask questions my handle is nexus@smag99 shoot me a mail or pm and I would love to talk to you.
And to the Devs, thank you very much. All your hard work and dedication has helped and will continue to help.
Originally I wanted to reach out to the devs and share my story and how much there work has helped me in more ways then I could describe, but I figured if I did it this way someone would be able to relate and share there story as well. So some basic back sotry. About a year and a half ago I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury at work. It was a simple accident but has changed so much.
I have been a on and off player since launch, and been pretty constant since free to play, but still somewhat a casual player. After my injury I started to have some serious side effects. Short term memory loss, Comprehension troubles, loss of words, severe depression, anxiety/panic attacks, and suicidal tendencies.
So that's enough of the sob story history. Here's is why I am really writing. After a few months, many Doctors, tests and even a hospital stay I started to train myself how to survive. And that's how Star Trek Online comes to play. I started to play a lot after those few months. And started noticing that I was able to communicate a little easier after playing. My memory had improved a little bit, as long with comprehension and my demeanor and attitude was a little less meaner.
By playing STO I was rebuilding my brain a little bit at a time. And to this day I play for every 2 to 3 hours in the morning. I wake up a zombie unable to do very much, and after my usual STO retinue I come out less of a train wreck and able to take care of my kids and am now a stay at home dad who is fairly happy. Now is it all due to Cryptic and the hard work everyone does....no not at all. But the game has helped me so much and to that I owe a debt of gratitude.
And even better, throughout this time I have made very good friends who make fun of me when I TRIBBLE up words, or forget someone's name, and I know there not being mean but helping me along. I have even met someone I consider a friend who has walked a path similar to mine.
So that's enough of boring you. I could go into great detail and bore you guys even more, vut I won't. If someone wants to ask questions my handle is nexus@smag99 shoot me a mail or pm and I would love to talk to you.
And to the Devs, thank you very much. All your hard work and dedication has helped and will continue to help.
Post edited by grimus99 on
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Comments
"Resistance is not futile"
STO Forum member since before February 2010.
STO Academy's excellent skill planner here: Link
I actually avoid success entirely. It doesn't get me what I want, and the consequences for failure are slim. -- markhawman
I do believe it wholeheartedly though.
unlike medication ( except weed, I am a firm believer in the psychologically therapeutic abilities of cannibus ), it focuses your attention, and clears your thoughts of the current situation that is disturbing without side effects taht are physically harmful, discomforting or painful.
is it a crutch? dunno.
is gameplay as addictive as pharmaceuticals ? dunno that either, but I tend to hope not.
can it cause other problems, or become a dam that is ready to burst so to speak ?...again I have no clue.
is it an open door to suggestion via media manipulation? kinda Orwellian, I highly doubt video games will ever be intended for that purpose, perhaps entertainment venues via media channels....but again another thing to ponder about how our future is heading.
but one thing I do know.... games make it easier to get up in the morning more often than not.
Not just STO...but any game that can be construed as a hobby interest.
this phenomenon will be interesting to see what comes of it as the years go by.
thanks for the thread OP...this may be the best discussion this forum will have. Subscribing...
---- FIRE EVERYTHING ! ----
@ the Mods. Could we maybe sticky this one? Please? Positive stories about video/MMO/PC games are far too rare these days and this one certainly qualifies as a positive story.
@pwe/cryptic. I think you ought to be shouting to everyone in earshot about this one. It's a big deal that your MMO helped out someone in this manner. And hang the expense. Good publicity which falls in your lap like this should be utilized. Even after all this time, the mainstream media will latch onto and promote only the more negative aspects of gaming. Good opportunity here to rub their noses in it. Be a shame to take a pass.
I am sorry for what happened to you, but glad you are getting better.
Keep it up and don't you ever let yourself "let go" or become frustrated. As Worf would say (I think it was Worf), the challenge of the warrior is within!
C'mon people! The OP's story is a really great one! Please help keep this one up top.
Unless you are playing the Romulan "Mind Games" or the Chapter 2 Imperial Agent in SWTOR.
Both well written, both involving very mature subject matter.. but both need warnings FFS.
Next stop, Trigger City.
It's pretty much this hard to keep just one timeline intact. ♪
Once again thank you for the kind words, and I would love to hear everyone's thoughts.
Good to see you on here bro, and taking such a courageous leap for others sake. Class Act.
I don't really know that there's anything I need to say that hasn't already been said but I'm d*mn well gonna get ya a bump. As far as this alleged "person" you met... I dunno what you're talkin about. Are you sure it wasn't one of them there hologram thingies?? :P
I bet you didn't expect to check back here and see that folks were actually readin your story and bein affected by it. So proud of ya mon, good work!
Having grown up watchin TOS w/my old man, STO has always been a part of life and has always represented the better parts of existence. It taught us that ALL adversity CAN be overcome and ALL problems HAVE a solution. Being in this world is an incredibly significant reminder of those lessons and helps to keep them in the forefront of our minds, and of our lives and they very well may be the most important lessons ever.
Now stop it already, I'm gettin all misty..!
I digress, I am glad this game helped
Veni Vidi Vici
Confucius says "A Panda is most dangerous when Sad".
I take my hat off for you, if I had one.
This sounds more or less a problem with either the brightness/contrast or the refreshreate being the cause of your headaches (I've migraines myself, so I can relate somewhat).
"Turns out [computer] games might have some hidden benefits for mature players.... Those who played games for at least 10 hours a year reversed the effects of aging on the brain by three years. Those who played 14 hours did even better, rejuvenating their brains by four years."
I'm going to have to question this, because I should be a f*ing genius by now.
STO Forum member since before February 2010.
STO Academy's excellent skill planner here: Link
I actually avoid success entirely. It doesn't get me what I want, and the consequences for failure are slim. -- markhawman
- Most people would say you lose brain cells playing MMOs...
- Memory loss sounds like just the ticket for Grind Trek Online...
- Wish I could convince my family that playing online was therapeutic...
Those were the first 3 things that popped in my head.Or you've 'rejuvenated' to a toddler's brain by now...