(continuation of extract from from Tim Jordan's book Cyberpower)

In 1982, a disabled woman appeared on a computer conferencing system run by CompuServe. These systems allow both real-time exchanges and posting of messages. Julie was a neuropsychologist who had been in a horrific car accident that had left her mute, paraplegic and so disfigured she could not bear to meet people face-to-face. She was on the verge of suicide when a friend gave her a computer and a modem and with these she discovered online conversations where her physical appearance and abilities did not seem to matter.

Julie ... quickly became a fascinating, lively and committed participant in CompuServe's virtual communities, though owing to her appearance and inability to talk she refused to meet any of her virtual friends in real life. She set up a women's discussion group and offered aid to some women with suicidal tendencies, helping them overcome depression or chemical dependencies.

Julie's own social life blossomed ...