Guild Wars 2

Great post by the OP.

I did a slow clap that turned into a standing ovation for this. The looks I got around the office were very funny indeed.

Heya Christina! It was wonderful to read.You made my day with this letter. I wish you the best! Keep your chin up and get better as possible!

What a truly beautiful and amazing post, Christina. You definitely brought tears to my eyes. All the best to you. Hugs <3

I teared up and I smiled while reading this!
You inspire us game devs(programmers, artist, designers) to do the best we can!!
“Remember – you are worth not for what you have , not even for what you are,
but what others have become because of you” —Someone Online

chronometria.3708:

While I like Taimi, I feel her disability is tacked on. If Roxx lost an arm and was then told she was unfit for the warband – that would be a significant plotline involving disability.

Not all disability has to be milked for some tragic angst. It’s not ‘tacked on’, she’s just like that. That’s how disability is for most people— they’re born like that. It just happens and folks have to figure out how to deal with that.

I was born with several medical conditions, and one of them is a joint and connective tissue disorder. Walking was always excruciating. My legs didn’t ‘work right’ either. Does that mean my disability was ‘tacked on’?

At one point I was hit by a car, and the damage was made worse by my condition, so I had to have surgery on my leg so I could walk again (but only for a few years more because of the degeneration in my joints). Does that make it not tacked on?

Eventually I broke my back because of that condition. But until that, I always had severe back problems. Does that mean it’s not tacked on once a catastrophe happens?

Regarding brainiacs and disability: one, most asura are geniuses, but two, when you are physically disabled, it often does make you have to turn to other ways to excel. For my quad sweetie, it’s art, writing, and music. For me, it’s art, singing, history, etc. Both of us are readers and both of us are used to using our minds to solve complicated issues and challenges. Why? Because when you are physically disabled, you MUST learn to think around corners and solve problems, because the world is built for able-bodied people. It forces you to develop ingenuity and creativity.

So I approve of the way that ANet handled this. Her legs just happen to not work right. If you require pathos around a disability, that’s enough.

Thank you, ANet.

My god i’m 55 years old also disabled, i read that post now my face is all wet. Come on Anet for that post you could do just one thing create a one of Taimi character skin for Christine to use possibly town only but i would let her use it out in the field, the character retains it’s original weapon and armour stats but christines character is seen in the golem. With that Anet would be god’s…

How great the this thread is here so I dont need to start my own.
Taimi is one of the best characters in the game, the voice acting, animation, backstory, well just about everything. Im looking forward to see more characters that feel “alive”, not saying that other characters dont, just that some arein my opinion better made than others.

I’m very moved by your post. And story about the pregnant woman… I would have hit her over the head with your cane. People that stupid shouldn’t even be allowed to breed.
You hang in there, I had a friend with multiple sclerosis (we got out of touch), I know it can be a scary and painful illness, but I believe it makes you strong. Just don’t let it make you bitter towards the world because some people judge you; let it make you happy because of people who want to help. Forget about the ‘badness’ of people. Remember the kindess.

Was just browsing Massively and noticed this article.

http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/26/guild-wars-2-npc-inspires-player-with-multiple-sclerosis/

What can I say more than the others already said…
Best of wishes for you <3

This actually got me (a long time forum follower) to finally post something.
It was very, very inspiring to read and made me all fuzzy inside to be part of this MMO community.

Much cheers from Portugal. Best wishes.

Wow. I knew I liked Taimi for a reason. But she’s already touching so many people’s hearts, and we barely even know her that well. Go Taimi!
-tear-

Dear Christina, your post concerns me. I am sending you a warm hug from Germany

+1 for a mini Taimi & mini Scruffy for Christina

Thank you OP, your story was inspiring, so glad you shared that with us. As for Taimi she is even more awesome now. My new favorite character! (I just hope she doesn’t end up admiring Scarlet TOO much lol)

Argh..right in the feels..

Serously.. Made me tear up

Kajin.5301:

+1 for a mini Taimi & mini Scruffy for Christina

i just made a post calling for just that hoping Anet will see it

Christina, I am proud of you. You are exactly the type of player I think the Guild Wars community wants and needs.

I am honored to have you in this wonderful game with me. Stay strong!

Hi Christina, just wanted to say thanks for sharing, you probably gonna max your friends but I would love to be a friend of yours. I love this game to death and in my own way it is an escape for me too because I don’t have friends I can hangout with in real life but I found a home here and a place to socialize so I don’t feel alone. Hope to see you around.

Hello, Christina,

I just logged in to give you a little reply. Being so youn, you have infinitely more courage than any of us, and I respect you deeply for that. We can not be thankful enough for the privileges we enjoy everyday.

I’m a healthcare professional and I told to my colleagues and coworkers about your story, and I can assure you that we all want the best of life for you, because you deserve it.

Our best regards from Spain, Christina.

you are an amazing person. that is all

chronometria.3708:

I`d be a lot more impressed if we saw a disabled norn or charr who wasn’t somehow gifted with an intellect and gadgets that basically made their disability into a benefit.
.

Lets not forget Tybalt Leftpaw, his right paw/hand was mangled and he had no real use in it.

I really hope you didn’t watch the dev stream that talked about Taimi it’s a little sad but Taimi is still awesome

Christina, thank you for sharing your story. So many have not noticed just how involved the personal an living story can be. So much can be easily over looked.

This shows how so many folk get something out of this game that is meaningful to them. Thanks, Anet for making this possible and, yes, I love Taimi for who she is. A wonderful character who doesn’t let her disability keep her down – she channels her talents into wonderful things. Yes, a mini Taimi and mini Scruffy for Christina! I hope to see more of Taimi and hope she figures out a way to save Lion’s Arch. She needs to meet up with Heal-O-Tron – it seems to be working on something I bet she could help with.

I like Taimi a lot, especially for a character only recently introduced, maybe even more so now, knowing that she’s had such a positive impact on someone.

Your post made me well up ;w; Thank you for sharing your story with us, and all the best! <3

OP that was brilliant. I first read it this morning when I got into the office and got some really odd looks when everyone else arrived to see me in tears at my computer.

Regardless of what anyone else thinks of her I’m glad you found Taimi such an inspiring character. Personally I think it’s great that they’re aiming for more diverse characters, in all kinds of ways, it makes the characters more real and the stories more interesting. Taimi is one of my favourites so far, for a lot of reasons, and I’m really looking forward to seeing more of her in future.

Windu The Forbidden One.6045:

Christina.5103:

I’ll never forget the day a pregnant woman berated me outside a grocery store for taking the handicapped space she wanted.

Wow that’s low. People are so quick to judge.

Sad but true. A friend of mine got her blue disability badge at the same time as her drivers licence, shortly after turning 17 and she’s been told more than once that she’s faking because she’s “too young to be disabled”. The sad thing is part of me wishes they were right.

starhunter.6015:

chronometria.3708:

I`d be a lot more impressed if we saw a disabled norn or charr who wasn’t somehow gifted with an intellect and gadgets that basically made their disability into a benefit.
.

Lets not forget Tybalt Leftpaw, his right paw/hand was mangled and he had no real use in it.

Also Taimi isn’t really exceptional in that sense. Based on dialogue in and around Rata Sum most asuran children can build at least a basic golem, and using them as a mode of transport isn’t that uncommon.

Which I think is why she had to explain it to Braham (and most players). Everyone saw an asuran kid riding around in a golem and no one thought twice about it until she explained that she _had to.

My dearest brother is disabled as well, I feel with you Christina.

Life goes on.

I didn’t know much about Taimi, knew a new NPC character had come on the scene, and I love the Asura characters but I have all but stopped playing … I suffer from Transverse Myelitis … the initial attack was in my neck, C1-C2, so from there on down I’m partially paralysed. If I have a subsequent attack, they’ll change the ‘tag’ to MS.

I’d like to thank ANet for their thought into making Taimi what she is, and, to Christina to say, thanks for posting.

.

To everyone who has posted here: thank you! I didn’t expect this post to get much attention at all, but all your kind words today and yesterday have really meant a lot to me.

Stay classy, GW2 <3

Ack my feels! The quota for the week is overflowing! Sad that people have been so lousy to you though and place such value on first glance opinions when they know nothing about you. So many things can happen to a human body that have no real visible signs. A real shame nobody came to your defense against those people bothering you as well. =/

Dust and onions everywhere in my office… @Christina.5103 Thank you

Very nice story.

Christina.5103:

Now when I get derisive or pitying looks, I can take a minute to imagine I’m sitting on a golem’s shoulder like a complete kitten.

Not sure if cursing or if you’re imagining you are a kitten on a golem’s shoulder.

Thank you Christina.
At times like this, I remember why I fell in love with this game, and the people behind it.
Reminds us what games truly are for us, and what should be, a beautiful part of our humanity, and the result of the greatest gifts of all, imagination.

I’m happy.

Stay as powerful as you feel op! I, too, would like to show my appreciation for Taimi as well as my support for op. I developed a degenerative bone disease in my hip due to steroids I had to take as part of treatment for leukemia when I was 14. Due to multiple surgeries I now have permanent nerve damage, muscle weakness and pain. I’m 23 and sometimes my disability gets me down, even when I try not to let it define me. I walk with a cane and I know how much it hurts to get those dirty looks and comments from those who assume and judge us based on our youth. When I first saw Taimi and she explained her disability I smiled from ear to ear. You put in a disabled character who is young and strong and so very intelligent doing the best she can. Thank you Anet and thank you OP for posting your story.

This opened my eyes to how amazing of a character Taimi is, congrats anet. I now want a Taimi wallpaper! Artists of GW2 please help

BobbyStein.2315:

Have you seen this yet?

Yes! Thank you! It’s now my background.

Selfishly I’ll ask… MORE because I can’t get enough haha
Thanks again Chistina and anet

Amazing post, thank you so much.
Taimi indeed is a wonderful character and I look forward to seeing her in GW2’s future as well.
As someone suffering from a mental condition, I fully understand how terrible people can be. Some simply don’t understand, while others can be downright cruel.
Don’t let them get to you. Stay strong.

OP if you haven’t already done so you should look for video of Taimi’s dialog with Braham during the Edge of the Mists content. It did an exceptional job of fleshing out her personality.

When I saw Taimi originally, I thought ‘cute’. When I saw her at the Edge of the Mists and heard about her condition, I was blown away – and very impressed. I was amazed and pleased that ArenaNet had made Taimi, and she’s now one of my favourite characters in the new ‘signature group’.

I have a condition as well, and I often see it shown in TV shows and movies in a way that is highly insulting and demeaning – played for laughs or treated as a gimmick. I doubt I’ll ever see it in GW2 (or, perhaps, I am a bit scared if it does show up), but that they introduced Taimi in such a … perfect… fashion… says a lot about ArenaNet.

Christina.5103 , Very nice your story, really .. I control bit of English, i come from Baruch Bay server [ESP], but I understood your letter. I see you are a very strong person of courage and great strength.

I just wanted to say that your post gave me chills as I was reading it. I too am in my early 20’s and have been diagnosed with a permanent condition which causes chronic pain and makes it hard for me to do things that healthy people can. I definitely know what it feels like to be told I’m too young to be in this much pain.

Ever since I learned of Taimi’s condition I’ve felt a strong sense of identification with her character. She’s perfectly competent and just as good as any other asuran, but limited by her body. It’s something I struggle with every day.

Also, maybe there’s something to your theory about your reasons for playing an ele
I too play an ele and often imagine what it would be like to move and run as she does without the intense pain. It’s certainly a form of escape for me too.

So I wanted to thank you for sharing your story. It’s so comforting to know there are others who feel the same way.

I never even noticed that part about Taimi. Was more distracted by her obsession with Scarlet, though that does explain why she needed help getting her golem fixed back in the Mists. Guess I need to start paying a bit more attention to the smaller details.

Props to you, OP, for living with a rough condition that few can truly relate to.

Christina, first /many hugs to you You stay strong!
and 2nd.. I’m a baking machine, lady! If you wanna send these fine people some cookies/breads/brownies and see how much fun they can be on a sugar high, I’m doooown!

Heh, I just baked a variety of 8 dozen cookies tonight for my husband to take into work tomorrow. He is a government employee and they’re having a yearly inspection. Well, now everyone will have a smile on their face and a sugar rush to boot. I expect all will go well.

I’m tearing up here… sniffles Who am I kidding, it’s a waterfall.

Amidst all the discussions about game mechanics and whatnot, it’s easy for most of us to miss these gems that mean so much to players like you! This thread made me remember what I really like about Anet; the heart behind the game.

I wish you all the best, Christina, and don’t let people born without a heart get you down.