Taking Control: My Gaming Comeback

I remember the first time I held the controller of a gaming console.  I was five years old, on holiday with my parents and some family friends whose son owned a Sega Master System. Straightaway I was hooked to the fast pace and exciting action taking place on the screen. I was in control. I was the omnipotent God controlling the lives of the pixelated men jumping and kicking on screen. And that summer, I owned my first games console and haven't really looked back since.

My experience of gaming has been extensive over the years, having owned nearly every console that has ever existed. Gaming is a big part of me, whether it be a sports game, a beat ‘em up, a first person shooter, or an RPG. You name it, I've played it. But my love of gaming has taken a back seat for the last 15 years. With the ever increasing weakness in my arms and hands, playing computer games got to the point where it just wasn't worth the effort. I was getting less functionality out of my body and therefore less ability on the games. Couple that with the ever increasing complexity of games, which require more buttons to press, it was almost impossible. My pixelated persona became a shadow, a backseat gamer, destined to watch those do the things that I loved to do. It’s true what they say, you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

That was until last year, when I stumbled across a charity called Special Effect. All it took was an initial contact email to them and arrangements were made for them to visit me in my family home. They came, looked at the problem and within a few hours, I was back in control. I haven’t stopped playing since. It really is the most amazing feeling being back in charge. Like a phoenix, I’m reborn. I really couldn’t be happier with the outcome. How did they do it? I shall explain.

My rig, as I’ve now named it, consists of an adapted PlayStation 4 control pad that has four micro switches plugged into the handles that can be mapped to any button that I require via the console settings. They essentially replace the trigger buttons on the shoulders of the control pad. That is then mounted to a photography camera bracket in order to bring it level with my chin, which I use to manipulate the left analogue stick. Each button is positioned where I can easily press them; one for each hand and two on the wings of my headrest. I also have voice controls set up for more complex games to give me increased functionality. It took around three hours to come up with the solution and implement it.  I couldn't be happier with it, as it works for me and only takes around ten minutes to set up each time I want to play.

I think I’ve said it twice already in this blog, but I’m so happy to be playing again. Watching was fun for a time, but nothing beats doing it yourself. Gaming gives disabled people a chance to do things in life that they may never get to do. When I'm playing I can run, jump, or fight. I can be anything I want to be without the limitations of my disability. The guys at Special Effect have given that back to me and I wouldn't change it for the world. I can’t ever thank them enough.

Until next time… To infinity and beyond!