Virus=Lack of Independence

Imagine being on your computer and all of the sudden an advertisement pops up on your screen.  It starts out looking like it’s checking your computer for viruses and tells you that you have 38 infections on your computer (that includes the virus).  Then it gives you an option to buy anti-spyware to get rid of the so-called “viruses” that it found.  What do you do?”  Do you try to close out of it thinking it’s a scam?  Do you click the buy button, pay for the program and hope that it gets rid of the viruses?  Or do you click the shutdown button on your computer?
 
The answer is the latter.  Immediately shut your computer down.  The message that popped up is actually a virus itself.  As soon as you start clicking on the pop-up itself, the farther it digs itself deeper into your computer and the more time it has to do so.  I know all of this firsthand because last week this happened to me.  The first thing I did was try to close out of it.  Then I tried to remove it from my computer start up menu, but couldn’t find it.  Luckily I knew someone who knows computers and asked him about it right away.  He told me that it was a virus and to shut my computer down.
 
The next day he came by and picked my computer up for me.  He took it and had to clean it out to get rid of the virus.  He told me that it was embedded in my computer really deep and it took a while to clear it out.  Because it required so much time, he had my computer for a couple days.  This was extremely hard for me because it’s the device that gives me the most independence.

I use speech recognition software called Dragon NaturallySpeaking to run my computer.  I can’t use other people’s computers because I only have it installed on mine.  Whenever my computer has to be fixed, it’s very difficult for me because of how much independence I get from using it.  I’m able to accomplish a lot by voice commands.  My computer allows me to have independence and the ability to do things on my own, without the help of others.

Independence is really important and vital for someone in my situation.  Not being able to move prevents me from doing any sort of physical activities so I rely on my mind to keep me busy.  I don’t like wasting the day away by watching TV; it makes me feel very lazy.  It feels good when I accomplish things like writing a blog or working on my resume.  This is also why I like to get out of the house as much is possible, even if I don’t necessarily have to go anywhere for anything.
 
Needless to say, I got my computer back and it works great now. To sum it all up, it’s very frustrating when anything happens to my computer because it is a source of independence for me.  It provides me with the stimulation I need to prevent me from getting depressed or in an unhealthy routine.  This is also why getting out of my house is so important.

Jenni