I'm able of body but not of emotion and thought in the traditional sense. I'm finding that I'm getting more attached to my avatar, emotionally, the more time I spend learning to speak through her - IRL I am very shy and retiring, and have used SL as a place to learn to be more outspoken.

I have identified strongly with my avatar as myself for a long time. Thinking of what Jacek says in her post, relating to tools that people use, I think of my avatar as a tool in that sense, and am now emotionally and 'physically' attached to her; I find this attachment, and additional identity with, with other tools, too: my car and my computer are primary examples.

Additionally, I think that familiarity with the interface has added to my sense of identity through my avatar.