gaming for a better world?

[sigerson]

This seems like an interesting cause. It's a project to make online games accessible to pediatric inpatients, so that they can meet, connect with, and play against other sick kids in other hospitals.

"HOPE gives chronically ill children the opportunity to escape stresses inherent in their conditions by providing distraction through gaming and comfort via peer contact. Through our virtual world we are able to ameliorate depression, reduce perceived pain, and improve the quality of our patients’ lives.

We believe that children forced by circumstance to sit in hospitals enduring tests, fear, and uncertainty should be given access to the very best in interactive entertainment and education. They should be allowed and encouraged to explore other worlds, meet new people, and engage in mentally challenging quests. Most importantly, they should have a great time doing these things. Our goal is to allow every child with a debilitating ailment to captain a virtual football team, slay virtual dragons, and learn to build and maintain valuable community relationships. It’s as simple, and as ambitious, as that."

Comments

[ellinor.livejournal.com]

Wow. Like that little wheelchair-bound girl in .Hack//sign!
:)

right up my alley

[ltlbird.livejournal.com]

This is exactly the kind of thing that Child Life Specialists do. It's a fantastic idea. At first, I was a little wary, thinking that it could lead to too much escapism and take up time that might otherwise be spent on real-life interaction. But the more I think about it, the more my concerns fade. Many shy kids would be more likely to interact with peers in a game format than in an online support group. With teens, especially, the indirect approach is often the best way to get them to open up. Also, doing things virtually that they cannot do in real life, such as playing sports, gives them experiences that will help them to relate to "normal" peers.

Unfortunately, the hospitals that have the resources (computers, internet access, tech support, etc) to make such a program possible, are the least likely to need it. They are probably bigger medical centers where a kid can play games in person with another kid who has a serious illness, often even the very same diagnosis. A hospital like the one where I volunteer would benefit hugely from HOPE, but they only have two computers and the only web access is through AOL. But there, there are often only a couple of older kids with widely differing problems, so they often feel very isolated.

Still, though it isn't reaching everyone, it is a really great program. Perhaps through signal boosting like yours, people will become more aware of such efforts so that the good can be spread around more.

[fairoriana.livejournal.com]

What a good idea!!!

[haak0n.livejournal.com]

I know this is probably horrible but I just can't help it. I have this image of my probable facial expression if I found out that the guy who ganked my WoW character and taunted me in l33t was an emaciated ten year old cancer patient.

Off the top of my head, I can't think of anything else off that I'd respect/support wholeheartedly and (simultaneously) laugh at like this. Cool.