This past weekend I had a fortuitous interaction with Limell Lawson outside of a grocery store. I met Limell in 2007 when working at the University of Arizona’s Office of Student Computing Resources (OSCR) as a Multimedia Consultant; she was the Senior Director for University Information Technologies Services (OSCR’s parent department).
After I mentioned that my current research focus is on social implications of new technology and namely social media, Limell offered some timely considerations for me. She remarked on the positive opportunities that Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) provide individuals with disabilities and refugees/immigrants. Also, because of ICTs like Facebook, she has been able to enjoy some participation in important family events that she could not attend due to serious injuries incurred from a car accident.
Upon further communications (via Facebook Messenger), Limell pointed out that in addition to social networks such as Facebook, gaming platforms are “powerful tools for interpersonal and community connectedness.” Limell continued, “In a role playing game, your real world physical limitations are almost completely mute. You don't even need to reveal that you are in a wheelchair, nearly blind, have only one arm, etc. Everyone starts out equal. Your socioeconomic status also doesn't matter, neither does the color of your skin. Gender bias, however, still is a big problem in gaming communities.” All critical observations and domains for social workers (and other professionals) to consider when utilizing new technologies for human services.
Limell shared a bit of her personal experience having had a progressive and incurable physical disability her entire life, “when I started gaming I got to experience - for the first time - what it felt like to show up as the physically strong and capable member of a team. It was empowering.”
Nevertheless, Limell has also been active in her local community throughout the years. Among her activities has been helping people (refugees/migrants) who have been displaced due to war or disaster. She noted how Facebook has been instrumental in reconnecting individuals who been separated from loved ones under distressing circumstances. At the very least, it can bring “a sense of closure” Limell relayed “when they find out that a family member who had disappeared has died. Those are the very sad revelations that can be found out on Facebook. However, when they discover their brothers, sisters, relatives, friends have had children they are filled with joy -- a very unique survivors joy that I cannot ever fully understand given my life experiences and privileges.”
Wow.
These are some of the very positive implications for humanity in the information age.
There was one more dimension to this fortuitous interaction: I was extremely touched when Limell recognized me as I was exiting the grocery store. Not only that, she was aware of that I lost my father a couple years ago and acknowledged how Father’s day must be a hard time. She said she appreciated the things I shared on Facebook about him and my grief process. It meant a tremendous amount to receive her kind words, as indeed another wave of grief had come upon me. Limell also knew that I had recently “walked” with my graduating class and offered her congratulations. This is when I explained how I was finishing my last few credits over summer, researching topics regarding humanity in the information age.
In our follow up messages, Limell said, “I have very much enjoyed getting to know you in a meaningful way that simply would not have been possible without Facebook.”
I concur. I am very thankful for this powerful experience and to be all the more connected to Limell thanks to our use of Facebook.
After I mentioned that my current research focus is on social implications of new technology and namely social media, Limell offered some timely considerations for me. She remarked on the positive opportunities that Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) provide individuals with disabilities and refugees/immigrants. Also, because of ICTs like Facebook, she has been able to enjoy some participation in important family events that she could not attend due to serious injuries incurred from a car accident.
Upon further communications (via Facebook Messenger), Limell pointed out that in addition to social networks such as Facebook, gaming platforms are “powerful tools for interpersonal and community connectedness.” Limell continued, “In a role playing game, your real world physical limitations are almost completely mute. You don't even need to reveal that you are in a wheelchair, nearly blind, have only one arm, etc. Everyone starts out equal. Your socioeconomic status also doesn't matter, neither does the color of your skin. Gender bias, however, still is a big problem in gaming communities.” All critical observations and domains for social workers (and other professionals) to consider when utilizing new technologies for human services.
Limell shared a bit of her personal experience having had a progressive and incurable physical disability her entire life, “when I started gaming I got to experience - for the first time - what it felt like to show up as the physically strong and capable member of a team. It was empowering.”
Nevertheless, Limell has also been active in her local community throughout the years. Among her activities has been helping people (refugees/migrants) who have been displaced due to war or disaster. She noted how Facebook has been instrumental in reconnecting individuals who been separated from loved ones under distressing circumstances. At the very least, it can bring “a sense of closure” Limell relayed “when they find out that a family member who had disappeared has died. Those are the very sad revelations that can be found out on Facebook. However, when they discover their brothers, sisters, relatives, friends have had children they are filled with joy -- a very unique survivors joy that I cannot ever fully understand given my life experiences and privileges.”
Wow.
These are some of the very positive implications for humanity in the information age.
There was one more dimension to this fortuitous interaction: I was extremely touched when Limell recognized me as I was exiting the grocery store. Not only that, she was aware of that I lost my father a couple years ago and acknowledged how Father’s day must be a hard time. She said she appreciated the things I shared on Facebook about him and my grief process. It meant a tremendous amount to receive her kind words, as indeed another wave of grief had come upon me. Limell also knew that I had recently “walked” with my graduating class and offered her congratulations. This is when I explained how I was finishing my last few credits over summer, researching topics regarding humanity in the information age.
In our follow up messages, Limell said, “I have very much enjoyed getting to know you in a meaningful way that simply would not have been possible without Facebook.”
I concur. I am very thankful for this powerful experience and to be all the more connected to Limell thanks to our use of Facebook.
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