Virtually Free: An Interview with a Shut-In
Q: To begin with, thank you for letting me in to talk to you, Russell. I know you don’t have many visitors.
Russell Norborg: No problem, I am happy to see a human face.
Q: You’re not a shut in by choice, correct? Can you tell me what brought about your situation?
Russell: Right, I haven’t always been shut in my home; I lived a normal life for twenty-eight years before my accident.
Q: What kind of accident?
Russell: I use to drive a racecar, it was my hobby. I was involved in an accident during a race about eight years ago. I suffered a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for four months.
Q: Do you remember anything from the coma?
Russell: No. Comas aren’t like on television. I was out and don’t know where I was, exactly. When I finally woke up, I couldn’t do anything for myself. My mind didn’t work right and my body wouldn’t respond. I had to relearn everything.
Q: You get around pretty well now. How long did it take you to relearn everything?
Russell: About a year, it took about a year to learn to eat, sit up, and walk. I can only walk with a walker, but it’s faster for me to use my wheelchair. So, I am pretty much reliant on my family to take me anywhere. They don’t have much time for me, so here I sit, most of the time.
Q: Do you have any friends that visit you since the accident?
Russell: No. All of my friends have moved on without me. I try to keep in touch with them on the phone and with e-mail, but that’s about it. They only look at my disabilities, and forgot that I am still in this body.
Q: That’s very sad. How do you get past that?
Russell: Don’t be sad for me, I don’t blame them. I just have to remember how my life has changed and all of my friends’ lives have stayed the same. I understand they don’t have time for me now. I can’t change what’s happened to me, so I just accept it.
Q: That takes a strong person. I don’t think I could get past something like that. What do you do for companionship now?
Russell: Part of my rehab was with a computer, they gave me a laptop to help me communicate back when I couldn’t talk yet. I learned about the Internet from there and I now use it to “get out” of the house.
Q: What do you mean by “get out” of the house?
Russell: The Internet has afforded me bits of freedom. I can go online and talk to other people. There are hundreds of chat rooms out there, and I just go in and try to make friends. I can go online any time of the day or night and there are lots of people out there from all over the world for me to talk to. I think if I didn’t have the Internet, I would have tried to kill myself by now.
Q: I am glad you found the online world. Do you ever take it further? For example, exchange telephone numbers with someone you meet in a chat room?
Russell: Yes. I have given my number to people I meet. Most of the time, they only call once, and we have a short chat, but usually after they have heard my voice, they don’t talk to me anymore.
Q: Not even online?
Russell: No. They tend to ignore my e-mails or instant messages. I think my voice scares them away. They think I am retarded or something.
Q: Do you tell the people you meet online about your disabilities?
Russell: Yes. I tell them that I have been brain injured in a racing accident. I tell them how old I am, and that I walk with a walker now and work part time.
Q: But, Russ, that sounds a bit optimistic, doesn’t it?
Russell: It’s the truth, though. It’s very difficult to describe my situation, and besides, I don’t feel disabled inside, it’s just my body that is messed up.
Q: But, doesn’t a brain injury have any affect on your...well, your brain?
Russell: Well, I do have memory problems, and I have a short temper, but I can’t see how that is different from other people. I feel the same, so I don’t see any problems.
Q: Have you ever met any of the people you meet online? You know, in person?
Russell: Yes, I have had several lunch dates with ladies I meet online. Sometimes they come and pick me up and drive us to the restaurant. Sometimes my mom will drive me, to meet them somewhere. But at times, they don’t show up at all, and it becomes harder to find a ride the next time.
Q: I’m sorry to hear that happens. How do your dates react when they finally meet you?
Russell: Fine, they seem fine. We eat and we talk about ourselves, find out more about each other. (getting agitated) I really don’t understand what you mean by that question.
Q: I just mean, that you are obviously disabled—wouldn’t it be in your best interest to be totally honest with people who are relying solely on what you tell them?
Russell: I think I am totally honest with everyone. I don’t see it as lying, if that’s what you mean. It’s hard to describe my situation. Usually, if I talk a lot about my accident, people get bored and seem uninterested—so I just skim over it and get to the real stuff; life and things like that.
Q: Do you keep many friends that way?
Russell: Well, frankly, I can keep friends longer if I stay “online friends” with them. That way I don’t have to worry about them judging me by my appearance or the sound of my voice. I would much rather have someone in person to do things with or just spend time with, but it hasn’t happened yet. My whole social life revolves around the Internet chat rooms now.
Q: Aren’t there any other outlets for you? A support group, perhaps?
Russell: There is a support group, but it is over an hour away. I don’t ride in the car well—I get sick. And, I would have to find someone who could take the time to get me there and back. It’s really hard to find someone. Besides, the group is for disabled people.
Q: I see.
Russell: Yeah, I don’t want to sit around and talk about how bad I have it now, or relive my accident. I want to move on past it. I don’t want to hear other people whine, that’s not what I am about.
Q: Maybe they are not as far along emotionally as you are, and need to get it off their chests. I think that’s what support groups are for.
Russell: I get it, I just don’t want to hear it over and over again. I want a normal life again.
Q: I think I understand.
Russell: You’d be the only one around me that does.
Q: Will you be online after I leave here this afternoon?
Russell: Yes, my friends will be waiting for me…. Do you think you can come back to visit me?
Q: Probably not.
Russell: I didn’t think so. 
Copyright © 2003 Rachelle Hinks.
|
