To all involved in FFXIV ARR/HW's conception: Thank you

I hope I'm posting this in the right spot. I've been meaning to post this for a long time now, but things just kept getting me sidetracked.

I'm going to get mighty personal here with a site full of people that have no idea who I am. Normally that'd make me uncomfortable, however, it is my hope that this will be seen by the people who are meant to see it. I go into detail so they will understand and see my sincerity and appreciation for all they've done.

For 16 years now I've struggled with agonizing physical pain brought on by genetic diseases: ankylosing spondylitis and avascular necrosis. I was the youngest case in Michigan and it took them years to diagnose me. At which point my joints were already annihilated and replaced, my spine curved and fused and could no longer stand. Everyday waking up was agonizing for me. In order to tolerate the day, I'd have to take high end prescription narcotics and go on with the rest of the day in a daze. (To be continued in next post.)

Fast forward roughly ten years, I get into the closed beta for FFXIV ARR. I admit, i went into skeptical as I hated mmo's and I firmly believed Final Fantasy was meant to be a solo experience (refused to play XI or XIV 1.0). Shortly after starting, when the servers would go down every week or so, I found myself missing playing. It happened before I even realized it, but I fell in love with something I believed I'd never play.
A year passes after ARR is released. I found myself getting lost in the gameplay, the story, the music, and genuinely enjoying myself. An experience I have never had playing a single player game. I found myself....forgetting my pain. This game made me FORGET my pain. I'd play for hours at a time. And it wouldn't be until I'd move to go to the bathroom, or get something to eat that that sharp agonizing pain would come back. I'd look at the clock and realize....I haven't taken my pain medication in 8 hours. It's prescribed for every 2-3 hours.

This game actually made me forget my pain and I'd forget my pain medication. My pain is the only thing that reminds me to take it in the first place. And I'm forgetting my pain while I'm so focused on the quest or dungeon I'm doing. And I just want you to know how incredible that is!
And don't worry, my pain medication is a "as needed" basis. Basically, if I feel I need it, I can take it every 2-3 hours. But if I don't feel I need that dose, I can skip it. And thanks to this game, I've been able to skip more dosages than I've ever been able to before. I didn't think it was possible to be so focused on something to forget such a strong sense of pain. I never in my life thought I would ever feel liberated from my pain, let alone forget it existed as the hours roll by without my even knowing it.

So, I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for creating such an immersive experience that I can live hours at a time without feeling pain. You have no idea how much it means to me to have something in my life that can make me feel....normal. Even if it's for a few hours at a time.
It is my hope that if any of you are at an impasse, conflicted about anything with the game, or feel you want to give up and quit from frustration....you'll remember this post and remember that you ARE doing great work. And that your work will always be appreciated. And now you know from a first hand experience, you're also helping people in many ways.
So, again, thank you. And also, my doctor thanks you, too!

I love this/these posts. Too many people are always complaining about what is wrong with this game and complain to no end; not saying I haven't had my share of complaints either. But at the end of the day, if you aren't having fun you are doinb something wrong. I got into this game whe I was in a very deep depression, and while it's an ongoing struggle some days, this game brings me such joy. So I am glad to hear that this game is helping other people and would like to thank SE myself as well.

Now can we talk Shiva-Egi, lol, :D

I agree that they did a great job with the reboot (ARR) and Heavensward. Square did something pretty much no one else has been capable of before: bring a dying MMO back to life. Of course there will always be things that can be fixed/tweaked, and room for improvement and growth (as with any mmo), but they are doing a great job here. Kudos to the team!

I'm glad more than one person replied to this. The team should know there are people out there that genuinely appreciate their work enough to stop and say thank you. You know?