Journalist Jennifer Nadeau can no longer leave the house due to migraine attacks. Excursions into virtual reality give her new courage. In an online article, she writes about why the medium is more than just a virtual reality or a waste of time for her.
Nadeau indicates in her Medium article She recalls a difficult childhood characterised by trauma, anxiety and depression. Even back then, video games and virtual worlds helped her to concentrate on tasks and achieve goals. The young woman is currently in a state of mental emergency that has lasted six months. Chronic migraines and severe pain make it impossible for her to lead a normal life.
As soon as she starts to make plans, the headaches come on and Nadeau is forced to stay within her own four walls. The strong medication also makes her tired and physically weak.
Virtual reality as a pain-free substitute for life
The only thing that saved her was the distraction offered by virtual reality, writes Nadeau, referring to her Oculus Quest. "I actually bought it for gaming, but what I experienced in two days with the VR goggles gave me hope and grounded my brain a little bit." Nadeau describes how virtual reality refreshed her senses and distracted her from negative thoughts and symptoms.
Last weekend, she attended a dance festival in Cuba, trudged through silent forests, meditated with a panda, solved puzzles and played sports outside with real friends - purely virtually, of course. "Although I am locked up in my house, I have lived a rich life," writes Nadeau.
A normal life is a privilege
The journalist wants to explain why she sees virtual reality as more than just a virtual reality or even a waste of time. People who are not in severe pain and can do whatever they want might think that, says Nadeau. They are therefore prejudiced against the technology. "They can't know what it means to really want to do something with friends or family but not be physically able to," writes Nadeau.
In the travel app Wander, she virtually travelled to Montreal, where she had the best holiday of her life in spring. It filled her with fond memories, hope and enthusiasm, without giving her a headache. "Virtual reality may not seem like 'real life' to some people, but if real life hurts, isn't it better to have something that resembles a normal life?"
Source: Mixed
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