How Zelda Helped a Young Girl Recover From Illness

Video games can serve as a sanctuary and personal journey. Solidarity can be found within the positive and even therapeutic results as referenced by a touching story about a young girl and Ocarina of Time. Producer Eiji Aonuma shares his moving words with fans about this young girl and how Zelda changed her life.

Hit the jump to hear what he said!

Aonuma had received a letter from the mother of a small girl whose significant illness caused her to be hospitalized. Despite her struggles, she found comfort in Ocarina of Time. She stated “If Link is trying this hard, than I will, too!” Her mother then said that before she knew it, her daughter was healthy again.

Aonuma said:

“Since I began working on The Legend of Zelda, what has moved me the most came from a certain fan letter. This letter was from the mother of an elementary school girl, who was hospitalized due to an illness, and she gave her daughter Ocarina of Time so she could play it while rehabilitating.

At first, she felt ‘this is impossible for me,’ but over time, she began getting the hang of it. Then one day, she told her mother, ‘if Link is trying this hard, then I will, too!’ as she put more effort into her rehabilitation. And before they knew it, she was back to her healthy self.

After reading the letter, I thought about how Link is someone who is being controlled by the player, but there’s also a little something he was able to give back over time [in this case, courage to the little girl].

To think that one could put in more effort after watching Link to do the same, and that such a positive way of thinking arose from the game, is something that makes me very happy.

It’s not that we purposely intend that while making games, but the key lies within what the players get to experience in the world.

However, I believe that The Legend of Zelda is a game that can possibly bring out such feelings, and if you could start expecting that from now on, it’d bring me great pleasure!”

Aonuma has stated in the past that Link is supposed to serve as an avatar, and how it gives players a more personal experience. His words and this girl’s story serve as a huge inspiration for many players and whatever life brings.

What do you think of this inspirational story? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Source: Nintendo News (via Siliconera)