Mental Health in LARP

The Accessibility in LARP series has gone some way to helping people think about how to be more accommodating to players with physical disabilities and chronic illnesses however, it didn't really go in to any depth on mental health accessibility. Mental illness, from depression to anxiety to personality disorders, can be debilitating and can require accommodations just like other chronic illnesses. However, due to the nature of mental illness and the lack of openness and dialogue about them, it can be less obvious what those accommodations could be.

This is something that needs input from people who LARP with mental health issues and who feel their LARP experience is limited or impaired because of their mental health and/or the lack of accessibility.

To that end I have created a questionnaire!

If you are a LARPer (or a potential LARPer) that has mental health issues that impact yoru game then please fill out the completely anonymous questionnaire below and help me write a better guide.

Iain Duncan Smith - for me it's personal

The IDS resignation is a big fucking deal for me.

I know that this year I will have my DLA reassessed as PIP. I don't even have a date for that assessment yet and I have already been experiencing a great deal of anxiety over it. The treatment of disabled and chronically ill people by the DWP is appalling an counterproductive. It does more to ensure disabling symptoms and having to stay out of work (to say nothing of death and suicide) than to help and support people or get them fit for work.
It is terrifying and demoralising at best.

Now, I don't for one minute believe that IDS resigned purely on the grounds of conscience and out of concern for people with disabilities but honestly, that doesn't matter. Because that's what he said. That is the statement that is out there, in writing. Iain Duncan Smith has stated categorically that the way our government is treating people with disabilities is wrong. And, for a short time at least, he's going to have to stand by that or look like a fool.

It's not going to suddenly change policy. That's not up to him any more. But you know what it does give? It gives hope. Hope that the rhetoric might change. Hope that Osbourne might have to reign in plans. Hope that the government will have an actual debate on these issues that isn't just braying party lines. Hope that some people might actually stop and think about me and people like me.
This is the first glimmer of hope we have had from the government in five years. We have suffered a constant stream of abuse, neglect and vilification at the hands of this government. And now one man with influence, however insincerely, is saying "this isn't right". That tiny pause in the endless bombardment that lets us breath and lets us hope that things might not get worse.

I was shaking with joy last night. For the first time in weeks I felt the anxiety lessen just a little bit.
So for me, for every disabled and chronically person you know can we focus on that. Instead of speculation and theories about infighting instead of looking for the "real motives" can you focus on this:
The minister of the DWP said that plans for PIP were a step too far and were harmful.
Shout about it. Talk about it. Hold it up high. Make people think about what that means. Make people pay attention and that that is the thing the government and the media needs to focus on.
Make the story "Things need to change! Things need to be better for people who are disabled."

Don't make it about the Tories. Make it about people.

In defence of audiobooks

I have heard some people criticise listening to audiobooks as not really reading. I’ve heard people (myself included) who automatically add disclaimers and defence to the revelation that the book they have just read was actually listened to.

“I know it’s cheating but I actually had the audiobook.”

“I’ve just finished reading this book. Well listened to really. I know it’s not the same.”

“It’s not reading really is it? It’s like listening to the radio. You may as well be watching the telly.”

“That’s not how books are supposed to work.”

Well, to those people who are defensive of their own audiobook habit (this includes me):

Relax! You don’t have to defend yourself. Audiobooks are real books. It’s just as valid to hear them as to read the pages and you can call it reading if you want.

And to those of you who criticise, mock and deride audiobooks and their listeners:

SHUT UP AND STOP IT! it is a perfectly valid way to enjoy a book. It is still the same book, still the same words. The person is still engaging with the story and enjoying it. It is still a book and it is still reading even when it’s listening.


Now, here is a list of reasons that somebody may use audio books rather than printed or ebooks:

They are blind or partially sighted and don’t read Braille or the book they want is not available in Braille.
People with disabilities are still “allowed” to enjoy books. Audiobooks are accessible and valid.

They have dexterity issues, chronic pain, shaking hands, paralysis or other motor issues which prevent them from holding a book and/or turning pages.
People with disabilities are still “allowed” to enjoy books. Audiobooks are accessible and valid.

They have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, sleep disorders, Fibromyalgia, depression, medication side effects, chronic fatigue (the symptom) and similar that makes sustained concentration and/or holding up a book, and/or sitting to read, difficult or impossible.
People with disabilities are still “allowed” to enjoy books. Audiobooks are accessible and valid.

They have dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, ASD, medication side effects, dementia or another specific learning disability, acquired intellectual disability intellectual disability that can impair cognitive processing, comprehension and concentration.
People with disabilities are still “allowed” to enjoy books. Audiobooks are accessible and valid.

They are very short on free time to themselves due to work, family or home commitments and can’t freely sit with a book, where as audiobooks are easier to enjoy “on the go”.
People with little personal time are still “allowed” to enjoy books. Audiobooks are accessible and valid.*

They may be in a situation in which they will experience abuse or bullying for reading or taking time to sit with a book. An audiobook can be more flexible and “private”.
People in difficult situations are still “allowed” to enjoy books. Audiobooks are accessible and valid.*

They may dislike talk or music radio and would prefer to be reading a book than driving. Audiobooks allow them to drive and read simultaneously.
People with different preferences are still “allowed” to enjoy books. Audiobooks are accessible and valid.

They may simply enjoy having a story read to them and enjoy the format as an alternative to traditional books.
People with different preferences are still “allowed” to enjoy books. Audiobooks are accessible and valid.

They may want to read a book that is not in their first language and find the spoken word easier to follow than written word.
People with different preferences are still “allowed” to enjoy books. Audiobooks are accessible and valid.

No matter what the reason, even if the reason is simply “I like audiobooks”, there is no good reason for mocking or dismissing a persons choice too use an audiobook. If you truly like books and truly want people to enjoy reading and literature then you should be celebrating any format that allows people to do just that.

* These reasons disproportionally affect women, minorities and poor people who are often working long hours, expected to do more around the house and who are often negatively judged for enjoying the “luxury” of sitting and reading or who don’t live in a society that encourages reading.