The Drax Files World Makers Creations for Parkinson's (2013– ) Online

The Drax Files World Makers Creations for Parkinson's (2013– ) Online

"My avatar represents how I truly feel inside" says 86-year old Fran Seranade. And despite her Parkinson's condition she navigates her blond, blue-eyed and stunningly dressed digital alter ego with bravura through the immersive universe of Second Life: one moment she is a mermaid and another she ice skates with her friends in winter wonderland. The effect of engaging in a virtual world on her condition is being closely studied by her personal doctor and although conclusions can't be drawn without further research, the exhilaration of being able to engage in activities like horse back riding and boating in SL suggests that so-called mirror neurons are at work here: identifying with the avatar and the action happening on the screen makes Fran's muscles feel less rigid and increases dopamine production in the brain. "Second Life just might be the fountain of youth" Fran is saying with a smile and the in-world community "Creations for Parkinson's" run by her daughter is trying to make ...