Miles apart.....yet
Internet connected
written by Jude

 
                                As we all gathered one day, as we always
                                do, I sat reflecting what I really saw before
                                me. I saw people, persons from all over the
                                world sharing their lives together as if we
                                were all gathered in my living room. We
                                were laughing, picking and joking with
                                each other as if we were family, it was like
                                all our disabilities were gone or at least
                                forgotten for the moment. 
                                I sat looking at the list of names in the chat
                                room and thinking about each one, where
                                they were from and what their disability
                                was. I realized that it didn't matter, that on
                                the Internet we could escape temporarily
                                from our frustrating lives. As time went on
                                that day and after many laughs an old
                                visitor and friend came in the chat room
                                upset over the day she was having. She
                                began to tell the others of her dismay and I
                                watched the same people who were
                                laughing and joking moments earlier offer
                                support and understanding. It was an
                                awesome sight, to see people from all over
                                the world come together and help a friend
                                in need. After a few moments I saw the
                                people return to laughter and the moment
                                that seemed like such a crisis disappeared
                                as I watched this friend join in the company
                                of others as if her troubles that day
                                vanished in thin air. 
                                When I started this chat room out of
                                Frustration and thoughts that nobody
                                understood what my day as a disabled
                                person was like. I soon had people from all
                                over the world coming together to show me
                                I wasn't alone and heard my same cries
                                and feelings echoing back at me. Well the
                                name of this Chat Room sure stands
                                True...Friends-w-Disability.
Article Published in August 1998 
DISABLED DEALER MAGAZINE 

 Back

Disability Network