An Example Of How A Games Console Can Do Some Good :-)
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
June 11, 2010 6:40pm CST
For a few days in May I was based at my Mum's house so the regional news is covering (mainly) Lancashire as opposed to Cumbria where I live.
Anyway, I was gobsmacked when I watched a piece about a guy who was totally paralyzed down one side due to a stroke. At Blackpool Victoria Hospital members of the public and staff were invited to jot down their ideas as to how they could improve the physiotherapy so that stroke victims would find it more enjoyable.
What did a person come up with? Stroke victims playing a Wii golf game to improve mobility. What would happen is the guy in question would hold his Wii handset with his physio behind him in a golf stance about to strike a "ball." The screen would be a few feet in front of him on the wall, showing him hitting the ball and where it ended up. The more the guy recovered the further the ball would travel.
This guy has amazed the medical staff because he has virtually recovered from his stroke! One minute he was totally paralyzed down one side and now he is even playing REAL golf outside! Fancy that! He didn't even play golf before he had his stroke.
Now, we all slag off games consoles for being intense and a bit "much" but I just thought I'd redress the balance by giving an example of how Games Consoles can help people.
Have they helped you? I specifically mean a medical condition...not to gain friends although that in itself is a good thing.
4 responses
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Jun 10
Nope, they've helped keep the kids out of my hair, that's about it. But that is pretty incredible!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Jun 10
Haha! I like it! I don't have that problem of course, thank goodness.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
14 Jun 10
I love Wii Golf and bowling the best. They are such realistic actions that it is a great way to keep active inside your home. Boxing, Tennis and Baseball are great fun too, but I like the golf and bowling the best.
We have a member of our archery club here that had a stroke some years ago. He is in his 70's now and participates in archery every month. He is always happy and keen to shoot and is always practising. He used to be a professional musician back in his days and was a regular performer at all the local clubs in the city. After his stroke, he lost his ability for speech and his movements were restricted. He was advised to take up archery and has been a member of our club for the last 15 or so years.
Everyone loves him at the club although he is hard to understand as his speech is still limited. He can only come out with the odd word (loves to swear, his favourite word is bulls$%t) 
, and cannot string sentences together. He can communicate roughly through pointing and using some words and by nodding or shaking his head when we guess rightly or wrongly what he is trying to say. He understands what people are saying to him clearly.
That is awesome that the guy you are talking about can get out and play a real sport now. Hopefully he gets the same sort of love and support that my friend gets. 
, and cannot string sentences together. He can communicate roughly through pointing and using some words and by nodding or shaking his head when we guess rightly or wrongly what he is trying to say. He understands what people are saying to him clearly.
That is awesome that the guy you are talking about can get out and play a real sport now. Hopefully he gets the same sort of love and support that my friend gets. @Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
14 Jun 10
That's a lovely story about that archery club member. I'd love to meet him, especially when his favourite word is b*llsh*t. Classic!
As for the guy I mentioned, his wife plays golf with him too so they are both active in this sport together now, which is so sweet. I nearly started crying when it showed them together on the golf course, soft bint that I am!
As for the England footy team..don't ask lol...and as for YOURS, well, I reckon Cahill should NOT have been sent off, that ref was so biased...but, if you don't like footy you won't have a clue what I'm on about!
As for the guy I mentioned, his wife plays golf with him too so they are both active in this sport together now, which is so sweet. I nearly started crying when it showed them together on the golf course, soft bint that I am!
As for the England footy team..don't ask lol...and as for YOURS, well, I reckon Cahill should NOT have been sent off, that ref was so biased...but, if you don't like footy you won't have a clue what I'm on about!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
12 Jun 10
That console will be good for people who want to exercise but - perhaps live in a neighbourhood where it isn't really safe to go out? Wii's would be ideal for this purpose. The fact that the guy in question actually plays REAL golf now is testament to the care of the physiotherapists..and his desire to win at Wii Golf. Haha!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
12 Jun 10
It is also amazing that a Nintendo Wii-fit has helped him do it!
