Raine 102 Posted February 25 Sadly, I have to accept my forced retirement from flying WOFF. Four years ago I was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (ALS) and it has finally caught up. Just after New Year's I developed a very serious case of pneumonia and spent a month in the hospital. Since getting home three weeks ago, I have found that my hands are much worse. I have been putting off getting back into the DID campaign because I was frankly afraid of testing my ability to manipulate the controls. Today was the day. I was most afraid of finding myself unable to push the joystick to the right because the wrist lacked strength. That wasn't the problem. Getting to the keyboard buttons for engine start and map was a two-handed job. Controlling the rotating knob on my throttle that governed mixture was nearly impossible. I couldn't depress the button on my joystick that turned the automatic pilot on and off. Every time I needed two hands for one controller, the other one demanded the same two hands. I am going to lurk around the forum and contribute when I can, but I will have to pack Douglas Bell-Gordon, my campaign pilot, off to a staff job in England. The original plans were to have him stay with Naval Nine until after 1 April 1918, then command an RAF squadron until the end of the war. Fingers were crossed that after the Belgian expansion, we might see a Dolphin before November rolls around. Please let me take this opportunity to thank each and every member of this kind, friendly, mature, and respectful community. You have made this a wonderful pastime and passion. Special thanks and admiration go out to the development team. You have created a true time machine to make boyhood fantasies come true. Massive respect! Cheers, Raine 3 1 1 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjw 48 Posted February 25 (edited) Hi George; I know we haven't been in touch for some time. I mostly lurk on SimHQ and only occasionally visit here. I have been taking a sabbatical from WOFF for some time now, being busy with other interests. I have been negligent in contacting you and for that I am sorry. Kathy often asks me if I have heard from you and I have failed to take the initiative. I hadn't seen any posts by you for some time. Now I understand why. we had some nice times together in the past and I reflect on them fondly. I will give you a call soon. Best Regards to you and yours. Kathy and Rob Edited February 25 by rjw Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Polovski 460 Posted February 26 (edited) Sorry to hear that Raine, and may things get better for you. Maybe there are lighter or specialist controllers out there to help you carry on for a while. With a quick look this came up, maybe other similar ones out there. These are for disabilities so hopefully don't need force on them etc. https://news.microsoft.com/en-gb/2018/05/17/xbox-adaptive-controller-welcomed-by-uk-charities-and-gamers-with-disabilities/ https://www.ranker.com/list/video-game-controllers-for-people-with-disabilities/nathan-gibson Edited February 26 by Polovski Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raine 102 Posted February 26 Pol, Thank you so much for your quick research. I had bumped into a couple of the controllers in your links but not all of them. I'm looking for something that does not require much finger dexterity as well as something (as you suggested) that takes minimum force. Fortunately, one of the doctors I am dealing with is an ALS/MND specialist with a worldwide reputation. She has a multidisciplinary team in Fredericton, New Brunswick that I check in with monthly. They have two people who work full-time on adaptive technologies and they have a special interest in customising game controllers. I will be looking to meet with them and to see what they may be able to do for flight simulators. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Well, actually I can't do that these days. One way or the other, I'll try to get back into WOFF and WOTR! I'll lift a pint to you (or at least sip it through a straw)! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjw 48 Posted February 26 Hi again George; I wonder if there might be a game controller with voice command activation. It might be worth discussing with the specialist team. Best Regards Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+VonS 1,424 Posted February 26 Let me thank you for your stellar tales in DiDs II, III, and IV Raine. I often go back to re-read them and encourage you when convenient to compile a "best of" pdf collection of your pilots' exploits. I wish you good health and happiness, rest and recuperation, and hope that you will continue in some way to be connected with WoFF/WoTR in the future. All the very best to you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Rawlings 139 Posted February 27 Sorry to hear about your latest news, Raine. I have always delighted on reading your reports when I wandered into the DiD thread. I know you are a huge WOFF fan, but have you considered some coop gunnery work with someone in another sim? The controller demand would be less and when my buddy and I play FC, the coop-ness of it almost makes up for the AI and other weaknesses. Might be worth a look? Best wishes, RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Polovski 460 Posted February 27 13 hours ago, Raine said: Pol, They have two people who work full-time on adaptive technologies and they have a special interest in customising game controllers. Fantastic Raine, that sounds very promising. Wishing you all the best with that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeanba 1,920 Posted February 27 Sorry to hear this. I had a right arm neurological paralysis which lasted for few years and I imagine how bad it is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Becker02 35 Posted February 27 Yes, Sorry to hear this @Raine! I wish all the best to you!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HumanDrone 4 Posted March 30 Wow, I haven't been around for a while, but the I come back and see this! You undoubtedly don't know me, but I've sure seen you around a lot back in the day. I'm very sorry to hear it, and give you my hopes and prayers that you can find comfort and hope and maybe even a miracle as you go through this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
