Reconnecting Through Gaming - AbleGamers Impact

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Grant

A photo of Grant. He has dark brown hair and a mustache he iw wearing a blue nike tshirt with the slogan Just Do It

Grant’s Story: Reconnecting Through Gaming

Grant was a patient at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, a Powered by AbleGamers partner. Before his injury, he loved gaming, especially first-person shooters like Call of Duty. However, after his injury, he felt a deep disconnect from his friends, who he could no longer join online for gaming sessions. So we got to work reconnecting him through adaptive gaming.

With the help of the dedicated staff at Cincinnati Children’s and the Peer Counseling team at AbleGamers, Grant began exploring adaptive gaming technologies. Together, they practiced playing Rocket League, which helped him get used to new equipment like the Warfighter joystick and various buttons. Grant was excited and eager to learn, looking forward to the chance to game with his friends again.

After several practice sessions, he made plans to play video games with his friends that very night—an opportunity he had been missing since his injury. With the adaptive tools provided by AbleGamers, including the XAC, Logitech adaptive gaming kit, WFE joystick, and micro light switch, Grant was ready to navigate games with new confidence.

Thanks to the partnership between Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and AbleGamers, Grant not only regained access to the games he loved but also reconnected with his friends in a meaningful way. Each gaming session reminded him of how gaming can bring people together. Grant’s journey highlights the positive impact of adaptive gaming, showing that with the right support and tools, it’s possible to overcome challenges and fully engage with friends again.

Playing video games is a valuable social activity that helps reduce social isolation by connecting people across distances and diverse backgrounds. Through multiplayer games, online communities, and cooperative gameplay, individuals can interact, collaborate, and build friendships. These virtual interactions provide a sense of belonging and support, fostering meaningful connections that transcend physical barriers. By engaging in shared gaming experiences, players can combat loneliness and create a supportive social network, making video games a powerful tool for enhancing social well-being. Learn more about our life-changing workmake a donation or purchase something from our shop!

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AbleGamers Peer Counselors work one-on-one with each and every person. This is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a tailored experience to bring happiness into someone’s life. Donate today to help us continue enabling play for people with disabilities.