Hello Bungie.net, today I have an interesting story to tell. A story of a man (That man being me), his life, and how Bungie impacted it. Note it is long, perhaps emotional at parts, but it does in the long run, explain how I got Recon and for those who truly care; how Bungie impacted my life.
Many inconsiderate people may reply to this topic without thinking such as; "China WANTZ THERE WALLZ BACK!!!" and; "HA UR A HANDI!!!!1" and if you are going to say something like that, go ahead. But know that many will be frowning on you, and you will not be respected for quite some time..by me especially. Read and listen from the heart, as this is a very serious topic about my life that I have decided to finally share with you; the community.
Well, I know you just LOOOVE listening to my colorful language, so I'll talk your kind of talk for the rest...well I'll try anyhow but this might get a little touchy feely at some parts; take heed.
The following is a Story of how Bungie made me realize that, I was a person really. My whole life, I thought I was an outcast. Thrown aside to be laughed at because of my "Birth Defect". In case you already hadn't guessed, I was born with a severe Birth Defect; My right hand. It resembles only about 1/4 of an normal person's hand. I know this is hard to visualize; so I've included pictures near the end of the "story" for you. If you have any bad comments to make about how my hand looks, keep them to yourself. I've heard all the insults already. Now continuing on with the story.
When I was young, nobody would play with me. They would just look at me and walk away. My mental health was put into jeopardy during my first years of school, and I had to go to a therapist every week to talk about my problems.
I had one friend though, I used to go over to his house practically every day and play video games. (To be specific; "Spyro the Dragon" for the PS1.) At first, I told him I couldn't play because of my hand, but he told me to try and eventually with a unique positioning of the controller I figured out how to play. That's what got me hooked on gaming.
Then, around 7th grade in Middle School; people at school where not as filled with hatred, and were more accepting; well at least a few people where like this...this was the beginning of my "Band'o-Friends" .
Another friend of mine early in the year 2007 suggested I buy an Xbox 360 with this game I had never heard of called "Halo 3". I took his advice since playing Wii games was almost impossible for me, and I was bored of my Playstation 2.
On Christmas day of the year 2007 (Well technically it was the 3rd night of Chanakah, but I'm trying to simplify it for you...lol) I opened up Halo 3 for the first time and with a bit of trouble setting up the 360 I finally got to play the game that would soon inspire me, more than I knew at the time. Much more than I knew.
I used to play Couch Co-Op with my brother; Kooper13 all the time before we got live. But that same annoying friend that bugged me to get a 360 finally bugged me enough to get Xbox Live. I was utterly thrilled by the online experience brought by Halo 3, as it was my first real "Online" game.
Playing with 1.4 hands was hard, especially online and I was often trash talked for "being a noob" but I tried not to care.
Eventually, I became quite active on the Bungie forums and you know what? I was shocked by how much they where involved with their community.
In terms of my life, I felt depressed a lot of the time. Often times I didn't really know where my life was headed. "Hopeless" would be a good word to describe how I was back then.
Since I had grown into Bungie and actually honestly taken a serious liking to them, I sent one of them (Name Disclosed) "my story" much like this but more of a brief summary and not as detailed as this post because I wanted to hear their thoughts about it. I really had no intention of getting Recon when I sent the message, and I wasn't even sure if they would receive it. But when I returned home from school that day I checked Bungie.net to see that (Name Disclosed) had responded! They told me to check my armor to see if I found anything shiny, and sure enough; Recon. I was psyched that Bungie awarded it to me and it sparked hope, determination and thats when I knew; I wasn't hopeless. If I truly tried, I could accomplish anything.
Because Bungie inspired me so much; enough so to make me decide I wanted to get into the gaming industry, I thought I would post my story as a gift to them, and also to the community.
Thank you for understanding, reading and sharing this experience with me.
I'll see everyone around the Forums, and hopefully see YOU guys at Bungie in a job interview in about 7 years!
Thanks again, and peace out.
~Zero
Pictures:
[url=http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q260/keyblade_weilding_dragon/Photo226.jpg]I give Bungie 1.5 Thumbs Up![/url]
[url=http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q260/keyblade_weilding_dragon/Photo227.jpg]How I hold the Controller[/url]
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Glad to see this topic is unlocked. Truly inspiring.
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I think everybody is an outcast at one point or another, and if you're not you're just missing too much. I choose to be an outcast from many people at my school and around me, simply because I don't like the way the world is going; they act too arrogant for my tastes. And too many other emotions that I won't speak of. Regardless, your story is inspiring, and I know how hard it can be sometimes from experience. I wish the best for you and on you.
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I'm not even going to read all the potential hate. That's amazing. Bungie did good giving recon to you. Part of me doesn't want to get it now when ODST comes out.
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that make a good story and you are one talented person despite your disablity also the girl i used to like had a hand that looked like your it has 4 fingers i didnt even noticed until i was holding her hand
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] prototype9062 Bungie, I have suffered from depression for the majority of the last nine years of my life, it's a very hard thing to deal with. Can I have recon armor too?[/quote] I think he was asking for it. Anyway, nice job.
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This is what I love about Bungie and the Bungie community. We're not here to tease or mock, or do anything really to give ourselves a bad reputation. Simply going through this thread helps my growing cynicism with the world. Now in a more direct approach, that was a terrific read mate. I applaud you for your accomplishments notwithstanding attaining this armor. I pray that your life continues to take up-turns such as this.
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Great Story. Good Luck.
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my god... you sir, are perhaps one of the most talented people i have ever read about. you've gotten as far as you have with the disadvantage, and people call you a noob? pfft, you're doing better than they could possibly think. i applaud you. [Edited on 12.11.2008 12:48 PM PST]
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I am totally trying how you grip the triggers. IT would be like the claw grip, but much more awesome. I've done some modifications to my drumming style when I have equipment problems or when I have an injury, but this takes the cake.
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I could never imagine playing with only that much of a hand, that has to be really challenging at times.
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That story was great :D.
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Wow. I personally am grateful nature has been nice to me and it sucks nature didn't like you. Your determination to do whatever you want is inspiring. I hope all ends well for you. <3 EDIT: Shame on you people trying to take advantage of this and get somebody on your friends list with recon. [Edited on 12.11.2008 11:55 AM PST]
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Hey man you have inspired me, you have allowed me to feel I can do anything if I put my mind to it. You actually got me a bit teary eyed. God bless and may you have great things in If your ever in the Thumb area of michigan hit me up =D me and my friends would love to have you over for one of our weekly LANs. Last week we played Left 4 dead it was fun as heck, oh and add me on Live The LastDudeGuy. God bless and may you have great things given unto you in the future.
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One of my old friends hand was born with a defect just like you hand, he was still able to play little league and we always played Crash Bandicoot and Madden. Inspiring story.
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That is a truly inspiring story. I wish the best for you for many years to come.
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[quote]These are the kind of things that make me keep coming here, loving the community, and supporting Bungie. Well done all involved.[/quote] Well said.
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I usually don't bother with posts that are tl;dr...but I read this one...every word. Extremely touching story man, with what you've been through I have to say that you deserve the Recon armor. Glad to hear that everything is ok though. :)
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"shiny and bumpy and bursting with love." You're a good person! (Google the first line) [Edited on 12.11.2008 10:45 AM PST]
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You make me realise that this community, and its hard-working benefactors - the amazing Bungie, its fantastic webteam and army of mods - are the reason why I visit this place everyday. Put simply, [b]<3. [/b]
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Hey, I have the same controller as you. Kudos for taking the time to overcome your disability and adapt it to play games and such.
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Didn't read the whole thing, but I have a cousin who had his leg amputated and was born without a thumb. This is a pretty cool story. Keep on playing! Just goes to show what karma will do. You have to take a lot of crap in your life, somewhere along the line something nice will happen to you. XD
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Well said!
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I used to love spyro on the PS1! get away to glimmer? my mum has problems with both her hands. but not as sever as your hand. she still manages to create handmade jewerely : ) like your controller by the way : )
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That is a very nice story indeed! I am, however, deeply depressed that you will never be able to enjoy the Halo Trilogy anywhere near as much as other people, because you played Halo 3 first without even knowing about Halo 1 or 2, but I am still glad that Bungie has helped you and that Halo 3 has inspired you. On an unrelated note, what field do you intent to go in? (you said you wanted to go into video games) There are many different fields to choose from in this category.
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Wow man, that is a great story. I had a friend in college who had about the same function in his left hand. Well he was such a hardcore gamer..he wanted other people with such disabilites to be included as well. He was designing Controllers to fit any type of person with limiting funtions. And I guess everyone can agree that the 2 handed community takes it for granted. I applaud your effort bro and hope to see you on sometime.
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Nice helmet, =D