Kallistra Ltd.
This is another editorial piece; what can I say, I am feeling a bit of a soapbox lately. I am trying to make this not about me, but you write what you know as a writer. I also want to write this in the spirit of a piece Mr. Henry Hyde did on Youtube. I’m writing about a topic that is pretty personal to me. I am someone who’s struggled (at times more successfully than others) with a learning disability and being neuroatypical (ADHD and epilepsy). I am telling this story because I want to tell my own story and let others in the hobby who are neuroatypical that yes, there’s a place for you here.
I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD since I was 5, and epilepsy has stalked me since I was 21. Between the two, I have the usual problems, attention span, forgetfulness, anxiety, and a host of other issues that come with having a few benefits. I’ll get into the latter in a bit, but I’ve noticed as I get older and my mind changes, so does my ability to deal with the things that come with my ADHD. Focus as a rule has become harder, and at times, I feel myself needing to be alone more to recharge the batteries. Thank goodness writing is a solitary profession! It does well to recharge my batteries.
It’s also made reading rules tough, as focusing on any one task unless I can hyperfocus is a bit tough. That said, I have learned, sometimes, it’s best to do something for 15 minutes, take a 30-minute break, then come back to it. But my biggest challenge? Staying organized. No matter how many lists I make or steps I seem to take to organize a game, I always forget something or don’t see something happening in a scenario. I’ve learned not to take it as hard as I should, and yes, self-doubt is part of the package, but I will say some benefits of my condition if there can be any said?
- Hyperfocus – Hyperfocus can be a godsend when you need to get an army painted up late at night before an event. And yes, people like me are more productive at night. 4-10pm really are my best working hours but tell my day job that! I have also done some of my best reading and writing in those hours, with a bit of scotch and in a mood of quiet contemplation. And as bad as I am with math? How did I learn percentages, odds, and fractions? At the gaming table. Best. Math. Teacher. Ever.
- Determination – When you’re told as many times as I have been that you can’t do something? Well, it makes you dig deep and say “Oh yeah? Watch me.” It’s often been the emotional version of the BEF at the Somme in 1916, but I’ll be dammed if it doesn’t work well. My wife often asks why do I do things the hard way, but if it works? Why change it, right?
I want to make sure readers know I want them to realize. I am not demanding Wargaming change. Nope, wargaming has saved me many things: my life, my sanity, and my self-respect. I want the hobby to remain as it is and to be the place for those like me to realize, “There is a home here.” I know I must work twice as hard at everything to achieve the same result most do with half the effort, but hey, I am not afraid of a fight. I am a wargamer.
But the first thing I would say to anyone going into this hobby is, know yourself. I will admit, there are times during a con where I’m mentally and physically exhausted, and I need to sit, turn off my brain, and veg in a chair in the eating area, and just people watch. Thirty minutes of that, and I am usually right as rain. So, if you see someone doing this at a con, as a service to me, dear reader? Let them be. They are fine.
What would I say to neurotypicals wanting to have us in their games? Smaller is better, and less is more. The newer games coming out like Chain of Command, where it’s 30 to 40 figures a side, or games with simpler mechanics of “effect over process” are good games for something like me. And please be patient. Many of us are going to take a little bit longer to catch some of the nuances of various rulesets. The good news is? Once we catch on, we don’t forget them. I also fidget with dice—apologies in advance. I’ve never walked off with anyone’s dice, though! That said, you’ll get a player who wants to play, will try to be the life of the party (and in some cases is), and will be one of your dedicated players. All you gotta do? Let them know they are always welcome.
Are there others in the hobby who use it as therapy? Yep, I’ve met wargamers with PTSD from the recent unpleasantness overseas, wargamers with Asperger’s, and wargamers with ADHD and a host of other struggles. I always try to work on the principle of “You don’t know what’s happening behind someone else’s eyes.” Am I always successful, well…no. But I try. And I think that’s the standard we all need to aspire to in the hobby. We’re all going to need the companionship and fellowship our hobby has brought us when we come out of the enforced cocoon of the recent quarantine, and convention season starts again.
That’s it for now. Keep rolling, and I promise, no more editorials. Even I’m getting bored with them. That said, please feel free to contact me at Jason.weiser@gmail.com if you have any questions. I’m rather open about my own struggles and am glad to be of help.
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At Epoch Xperience, we specialize in creating compelling narratives and provide research to give your game the kind of details that engage your players and create a resonant world they want to spend time in. If you are interested in learning more about our gaming research services, you can browse Epoch Xperience’s service on our parent site, SJR Research.
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(This article is credited to Jason Weiser. Jason is a long-time wargamer with published works in the Journal of the Society of Twentieth Century Wargamers; Miniature Wargames Magazine; and Wargames, Strategy, and Soldier.)