Thriving because of technology

Your life without a computer: what does it look like?

Note: This was a WordPress daily prompt last week, but it was one that I thought my readers would be intrigued by, so I’m posting it a bit late.

As a writer with a disability, I’d have to say my life without a computer would look bleak. Without computers, I wouldn’t have this blog. I also likely wouldn’t be a writer.

Because of the nature of my disability, it is extremely difficult (though it has gotten slightly better after years of therapy and practice) to write by hand. My hands hurt even as I type, so I’d hate to think of the pain I’d feel trying to hand write a letter alone, much less 50,000 words of a novel.

I’m not the only one who would be in this boat, either: Although disabled Americans are less likely to use the internet, a recent study showed that 62% of Americans with disabilities own a laptop or desktop. Non-disabled persons still have an advantage here, as the same study showed a much higher 81% ownership of laptops or desktops by non-disabled Americans. It also showed 72% of Americans with disabilities owned a smartphone, per Don’t Do It Yourself.

I’ve personally been using a computer since I was two years old, to assist with writing and later, for school assignments. But without one, I doubt I’d have the stamina or energy to do the things I love, and consider a ministry. Writing is a large part of that.

Do you think you’d be able to manage without technology?