Comments on: What Games Mean

By: Scandalon

Scandalon — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:42:28 +0000

Warren Spector should hire her on as a consultant on his mystery Disney project. :P

By: Hope

Hope — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:39:59 +0000

There is actually a very large community of adults playing VMK. VMK adapted a kid-safe dictionary, and did not allow anyone to give out any personal information. Other online games would allow children to read awful comments such as some of the ones here. Would people honestly say these things to an 11-year-old girl face to face? I think not. VMK was a safe place for kids and adults who loved Disney to join and make friends, and I can see why the players are upset. There is not another virtual online game out there like VMK.

By: Marjorie Landever

Marjorie Landever — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:55:59 +0000

I am sad to see that so many adults have forgotten what is feels like to believe, really believe, in magic, princesses, Disney fairy dust. Madison dares to dream, to believe, even despite her debilitating disease. That is awe-inspiring. And while I understand most of the comments have been written by those who do not know her, I cannot help but wonder why our world has become such a cold place, where in order to hear someone’s words, we have to know them personally. She is a little girl. A little girl. Do you not remember loving something as a child with all your heart and thinking your world would end without it? For Madison, VMK has meaning, purpose. It’s not up to anybody to judge that, dismiss that, belittle that. Everyday is a challenge for Madison. Do those who have commented know what it is like to live in her world? Have they seen her struggle? Have they seen her eyes sparkle? Madison is a child with a serious disease, but first, and most importantly, she is a child. A child. I question how so many have lost touch with what it is like to be a child, to believe. Perhaps those people need some Disney magic in their lives. Certainly they have a great deal to learn from Madi.

By: Sue O'Neill

Sue O'Neill — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:18:30 +0000

Goodness people! I’m finding it hard to believe that there are so many adults talking about a kids online community.

Madison’s whole life does not revolve around VMK, but I know she enjoys it. She’s 11–of course she’s going to exaggerate and say she can’t live without it!

I’m glad a few people have taken a look at Madison’s site and have learned what a special girl Madison is. She is full of life and fun and deserves to have a place where she can be a kid and have the friendships she has made.

Many of the comments that have been written here, I imagine, have hurt her. They were totally inappropriate.
Please THINK before you write something that you know an 11-year-old girl may see.

By: RPS

RPS — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:03:36 +0000

[In reference to unpleasant comments now deleted - personal attacks aren't a form of debate we accept here. Spiteful sarcasm ain't much better.]

By: otakupaul

otakupaul — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:46:24 +0000

There are people who suffer from horrific cosmetic/physical/genetic etc difficulties and they find the strength to go out into the world and dont hide, sure people stare at first but eventually what begins as something to be stared at, a result of ignorance, turns into understanding and compassion.

Dont presume I dont know what im talking about, im not going to use my own experiences as a badge to prove i know better than people here because they are personal to me and the people in my life.

When a child is afraid to go out or be stared at, playing video games this obsessively (whether its Disney or WoW or Eve) is just going to emphasise that fear and make things worse.
Im not saying that what Madison has isnt sad but she doesnt need our pity she needs our encouragement and support and to know the world isnt so bad and full of good people who just need time to understand. It sounds to me that shes afraid of being stared at and she doesnt need to be.
As a closing remark this is a girl who could actually achieve things and do things and have goals to aim for. An MMO can NEVER provide that because as soon as that serrver or game or character gets deleted there is nothing left to show for their hard work.
Am i callous or without compassion? No. I just think she deserves more than our pity.

By: Slappeh

Slappeh — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:54:50 +0000

Get her into Eve Online then she can blow up space rats all by herself, she wouldn’t be able to do that in real life even if she wasn’t, erm, disabled.

Otherwise, tis sad and does show the power that games have. Nice to see Disney put this in their press release though, unfortunately whoever is funding the game will probs not give a crap about the kid.

By: Rook

Rook — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:00:51 +0000

I can’t watch that without crying. Sooooo sad.

By: Shanucore

Shanucore — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:58:23 +0000

This reminds me, in some ways, of that beautiful Korean Animal Crossing cartoon that emerged (I think) last year.

By: Brokenbroll

Brokenbroll — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:43:26 +0000

“who gives a fuck if people stare?”

oktapul, as the brother of 4 younger siblings with various degrees of physical and mental disabilities, often time they are the ones who care. We can sit and talk all we want about not letting other people bother you by being rude or staring, but in the end its a “normal” person telling them that, a person who can’t really understand what its like.

While agree with some of the words of caution expressed on this thread, about letting it consume a childs whole world, I have seen myself how a regulated use of simple games like this, can boost a special needs child’s sense of self esteem and accomplishment tremendously.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:28:53 +0000

Well, in light of what Tonya said, I take back my uninformed criticism of Madison’s parents and apologize to them and to her. I guess I was thrown off by the “can’t live without” part of her original blog.

Also, while I don’t believe in success of Internet petitions, I can (and do) relate to someone who just wants to keep their favorite game going. I am not a fan of VMK myself, but I wish Madison luck and hope that even if she does not succeed, she can find another game to love.

Once again, I am sorry for being judgmental and self-righteous earlier.

By: Tonya Mason

Tonya Mason — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:30:41 +0000

First of all, you have to know Madison – and I do! She is NEVER left alone with the computer. Her mom/brother/dad/friends are actively engaged with her all the time. You have just to call her house to hear the joy and excitement going on there. A visit and you’ll know that even though Madi is housebound most of the time, she’s not missing any life at all. I am absolutely amazed at how heartless and judgemental people can be! Write to Disney, don’t write to Disney, it’s your choice but get some sensitivity and keep those crappy comments to yourself. Madison has been a Disney fan her entire life! She LOVES to visit the parks when she can but the trip is tough on her. Does Madison live in the “real world”? Heck yeah! More real than most of us can possibly imagine. She’s lost dear friends to the disease she has and fears her death like all of us are programmed to do. She and her family have raised well over $1 million to help cure Spinal Muscular Atrophy and have provided friendship and support to thousands of other kids suffering from the disease. Madison is always there to talk – on the phone or on Skype, she loves her family, her “real” friends, her cat, and most of all SHE LOVES LIFE! She’s an inspiration to me and to my family every day of our lives. Those of you with your judgemental and ignorant comments should absolutely be ashamed of yourselves. You are the ones who should “get a life!”

Those of you who are supporting Madison in her quest to bring awareness to vmk, thank you!!!!

Like the last post says, Madison does love her video games but can and will live a happy life with or without them. She knows more about it than anyone else I know!