Helping Reggie join the family fun this Christmas
Monday, December 16th, 2024
Reggie’s back in the thick of the Christmas family gaming action thanks to an adapted gaming setup that’s enabling him to join in the fun.
Reggie’s cerebral palsy and involuntary movements make it tricky to hold and use a standard controller. He loves playing games on an iPad, but his dad got in touch to see if we could help him play with the family on their Nintendo Switch.
Our specialist occupational therapists met Reggie and his dad on a video call to look at his abilities and talk through options for suitable adaptive equipment. Our team suggested making the buttons bigger so that he could press them more easily without the risk of injury during an involuntary movement, and sent him a selection of loan equipment that included large round switches to act as the controller buttons, plus a large, stable flat-base joystick that was easier for him to use.
The team also suggested that his dad could give Reggie a helping hand through Controller Assist – linking two controllers so that two players can use them as if they were a single controller. Dad could then help out with a joystick or button as Reggie slowly got used to the set up.
What a difference the equipment has made! Reggie’s now able to play games like Mario Kart independently to the best of his abilities, as well as enjoy games like Bluey, Paw Patrol and Spyro cooperatively with the family when they visit.
We’re so glad we could help to open the door to greater gaming independence and inclusion for Reggie. Being on a level playing field has made such a huge and positive difference, and we’ll be there for him if he needs our support in the future.
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