How a Computer and SeniorNet Changed My Life
by I M Zephyr
My mother and I lived together for thirty years. We were the closest of
friends. During her last illness, my sister picked out the personal computer
I had always wanted. She purchased everything I needed to get started, and
sent me an IBM PS/1 386 with a black and white printer. When I was able, I
paid her back.
It was nothing fancy, but it was the realization of a dream . That dream had
begun in 1958 when I first began working with computers. I learned as much as
I could about its operation and even how to program in Basic. I even designed
letterheads and graphics that thrilled those I corresponded with.
When I received a free trial of "America Online," I signed on. In the
"live" chat rooms, I could "talk" to someone and understand what they said.
Deafness doesn't matter on line. I agonized over the cost of keeping the
service but finally decided I could do without something else for the
pleasure it gave me. I needed it even more than pain medication (or food,
for that matter.)
Then I found SeniorNet, which has 24 hours of chat time. Once I paid the
yearly membership fee to SeniorNet and the monthly fee to AOL, I had
unlimited access.
As I began to post opinions, I became more confident. Soon, I was responding
to other opinions, pointing out details no one else seemed to notice. I made
friends and began to talk about myself.
One lady "heard" me say in the chat room that I was deaf and having
difficulty with the phone. She sent me the phone number of the local Deaf
Resources of Florida. When she found out I couldn't get to the appointment,
she got someone to install a special telephone with a voice clarifier, free
of charge, without the necessity of my going to them. This was my first
encounter with SeniorNet members' special brand of friendship.
After my mother's death, I frequented the "Grief" Chat group in SeniorNet. I
poured out my feelings and was comforted. Even a cyberhug was better than no
hugs at all. I felt so alone, but someone was always there, day or night,
when I needed to "talk." I could grieve and not be ridiculed or scolded,
just listened to and loved.
Next, I joined the SeniorNet Writer's group. We exchanged short stories by
email. I was thrilled by the response to my efforts. Other writers helped me
by suggesting changes. Some writers formed a non-profit publishing company,
and I was appointed Southeastern Director. Two of the writers put together a
collection of our stories, doing all the layout and work to publish the book.
"Storm," the first story I ever published, appeared in "The Catalina
Sunrise", a newspaper based in Tucson. Later, "Sunrise" also published
several of my poems, a story, and an article I wrote about the problem of
pushing a wheelchair and a grocery basket. To my amazement, I was a published
writer.
This is how my computer and SeniorNet changed my life - gave my life new
meaning. So much has happened these last two years, I am filled with wonder
by it all. Because of my deafness, I had never really had a social life
before, and now I do. I can't begin to reiterate everything that has happened
to me. I've managed to tell only some of the important things. I am happy
doing what I do now, although I am still somewhat lonely. I am absolutely
sure my mother watches over me and knows everything, but I miss sharing the
excitement of my new life with her.
I sometimes wonder: Without my computer or SeniorNet, what would I have
done with myself? I can't even imagine.
My America Online screen name is I M Zephyr. I chose the name with pure
wishful thinking. I have never been able to move like that gentle west wind.
However, thanks to my personal computer, and a membership to SeniorNet, a group of seniors who use the Internet, I have
become Zephyr. I move with speed and grace; I chat with ease. I have found a
niche where I am important to myself and others: I am now Zephyr, despite
the fact that I am handicapped by deafness and rheumatoid arthritis.