Charity teams with local arcade to help people with disabilities play video games again

NEWPORT, Ky. (WKRC) - For people who have lost function in parts of their body, it means not being able to do some of their favorite things.

On Wednesday, however, four people who love gaming got a chance to overcome that challenge.

Velocity Esports is a gaming arcade at Newport on the Levee.

It partnered with the AbleGamers Charity and doctors from Cincinnati Children's Hospital to come up with special equipment so people with functional limitations can game again.

Doctors, along with physical and occupational therapists, were there to guide and provide equipment to the four different individuals who each have a different functional limitation.

"I am just excited that they can start to do things they enjoy that they felt they couldn’t do anymore because of whatever happened to them," said Austin Scott, a resident physician.

"So to take the population I am usually serving and take them out and put them somewhere I would hang out, it’s incredible to see," physical therapist Danny Meyer said.

"I play everything. Rocket League, FIFA. Call of Duty. I mean, it’s made me be able to play every game again that I thought I would never play again," said Josh Burdick.

"Programs like this are a godsend and I can’t thank the people involved enough," said Deborah Sweeney-Ross, a mother.

The clinic takes place every fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Velocity Esports.

To learn more about the The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Recreation: Adaptive Gaming Evaluations, you can reach out to gamers@cchmc.org.