20 Feb 2023, 05:12
Sporting
I've taken time to just follow this thread and note where people are on it.
I want to just give a few thoughts/ideas based on experiences I've had with role-play, real life, and work.
First I want to address the idea of extenuating circumstances. Many of us have challenges in life and sometimes those challenges derail us from being as productive as we'd like to be in the communities we are a part of. This can be frustrating for the person who is being derailed and the community they are a part of.
For people who have special needs I suggest following standard procedure. Make an accommodations request. Self advocacy is important and only you can communicate your needs. It is essential to have this skill to succeed in life.
(I'm going do do these examples based on things that happen in my life so I can take advantage of my great deal of practice.)
An example accommodation request:
Dear Staff:
I have joined the (really awesome) team. I find that I am struggling with anxiety when I feel pressured to post with in a certain amount of time. This pressure happens the most on weekdays because I am trying to get my work done. I would like to request an accommodation to be able to make my posts on Saturday.
Thank you for helping me, Meris
---
Another example:
Dear Staff:
I am struggling with the 50 word posts because of a personal challenge. I would like to request to be able to do a 25 word posts for the next two weeks. I feel that after that amount of time I could manage the normal 50 word requirement.
Thank you for taking the time to help me out, Meris
and one more example:
Dear Staff:
I have some event (exams, illness, etc) I have to work through right now. Could I please have an alternate take my spot for the next two weeks. I feel at that time I will be able to resume my normal duties.
Thank you for the consideration, Meris
-----
These are examples of reasonable accommodations.
This is how a school would make a decision as well as a workplace.
Its a tried and true system.
Now, I want us to realize that this is a private space and no one here is paid to do the work they do. They volunteer their time because they care about making a safe place for us all to socialize. They do a really good job of it.
I believe if we "choose" to not fulfill responsibilities and have made no effort to communicate with the staff about our needs that they should definitely have the ability to enforce a reasonable consequence.
I know it's never fun when our own actions cause us grief. We've all been there, including the staff. This is an excellent safe way to learn how to meat a deadline. It's also an excellent safe way for us to learn about accepting responsibility for our own actions.
When I have a struggle, like say, my eyes are hurting really really bad and I can't see for 4 weeks. I definitely do not want anyone else put aside out of concern for my own wants. I want to step aside and let someone else do what I can't during that period of time. Sure, I may be sad (and I have been, I've lost precious opportunities do to illness and pain) but I'll get through it. I'll grow from it. Why? Because I choose to. And when I am feeling better, or my circumstances have improved nothing is stopping me from coming back. No one will ban me because I can't make it. They will understand if anxiety is causing me the inability to function.
Hey, take advantage of the opportunity to role-play a challenge for your character during that time. Just like in real life, opposition brings growth to our characters. What a wonderful opportunity to develop our characters tapestry into something rich and meaningful. It is the story that matters. The story is what we make it. The stat points, they come and go. The teams they come and go. The stories we write and the friends we make are what make these opportunities precious.
Lastly, I want to say:
I have really come to value this community and its effect on my life in the very short time I've been here. I am thoroughly amazed by the kindness of the community and the helpfulness of the staff. The organization and system they have got set up here is just fantastic.
I finally have a safe community to call home. I'm really thankful for that. Thank you for being a part of my community and giving me a safe space to just be, myself.
Meris
I want to just give a few thoughts/ideas based on experiences I've had with role-play, real life, and work.
First I want to address the idea of extenuating circumstances. Many of us have challenges in life and sometimes those challenges derail us from being as productive as we'd like to be in the communities we are a part of. This can be frustrating for the person who is being derailed and the community they are a part of.
For people who have special needs I suggest following standard procedure. Make an accommodations request. Self advocacy is important and only you can communicate your needs. It is essential to have this skill to succeed in life.
(I'm going do do these examples based on things that happen in my life so I can take advantage of my great deal of practice.)
An example accommodation request:
Dear Staff:
I have joined the (really awesome) team. I find that I am struggling with anxiety when I feel pressured to post with in a certain amount of time. This pressure happens the most on weekdays because I am trying to get my work done. I would like to request an accommodation to be able to make my posts on Saturday.
Thank you for helping me, Meris
---
Another example:
Dear Staff:
I am struggling with the 50 word posts because of a personal challenge. I would like to request to be able to do a 25 word posts for the next two weeks. I feel that after that amount of time I could manage the normal 50 word requirement.
Thank you for taking the time to help me out, Meris
and one more example:
Dear Staff:
I have some event (exams, illness, etc) I have to work through right now. Could I please have an alternate take my spot for the next two weeks. I feel at that time I will be able to resume my normal duties.
Thank you for the consideration, Meris
-----
These are examples of reasonable accommodations.
This is how a school would make a decision as well as a workplace.
Its a tried and true system.
Now, I want us to realize that this is a private space and no one here is paid to do the work they do. They volunteer their time because they care about making a safe place for us all to socialize. They do a really good job of it.
I believe if we "choose" to not fulfill responsibilities and have made no effort to communicate with the staff about our needs that they should definitely have the ability to enforce a reasonable consequence.
I know it's never fun when our own actions cause us grief. We've all been there, including the staff. This is an excellent safe way to learn how to meat a deadline. It's also an excellent safe way for us to learn about accepting responsibility for our own actions.
When I have a struggle, like say, my eyes are hurting really really bad and I can't see for 4 weeks. I definitely do not want anyone else put aside out of concern for my own wants. I want to step aside and let someone else do what I can't during that period of time. Sure, I may be sad (and I have been, I've lost precious opportunities do to illness and pain) but I'll get through it. I'll grow from it. Why? Because I choose to. And when I am feeling better, or my circumstances have improved nothing is stopping me from coming back. No one will ban me because I can't make it. They will understand if anxiety is causing me the inability to function.
Hey, take advantage of the opportunity to role-play a challenge for your character during that time. Just like in real life, opposition brings growth to our characters. What a wonderful opportunity to develop our characters tapestry into something rich and meaningful. It is the story that matters. The story is what we make it. The stat points, they come and go. The teams they come and go. The stories we write and the friends we make are what make these opportunities precious.
Lastly, I want to say:
I have really come to value this community and its effect on my life in the very short time I've been here. I am thoroughly amazed by the kindness of the community and the helpfulness of the staff. The organization and system they have got set up here is just fantastic.
I finally have a safe community to call home. I'm really thankful for that. Thank you for being a part of my community and giving me a safe space to just be, myself.
Meris