Twitch streamer with ALS plays and makes games using eye-tracking software

An inspirational Twitch streamer with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is using eye-tracking software to play and create games.

As reported by Dexerto, Turkish Twitch streamer ‘YvMHawking’, real name Ben Gürkan, lives with ALS and has sadly lost the use of his arms and legs. Yet, that hasn't stopped this incredible individual from playing video games and creating content.

32-year-old Gürkan who is a post-graduate biology student hasn't stopped his disease from making the most out of his life. ALS is a rare form of motor neurone disease and is said to impact three in 100,000 people every year in Europe and North America.

ALS effectively kills off motor neurones which in turn, will stop your brain from sending signals to muscles and eventually, those affected by this cruel disease will lose the ability to initiate and control voluntary movements. Speaking from my own experience, my father also has a rare form of motor neurone disease called corticobasal degeneration (CBD), so from afar, I have the utmost respect for Ben Gürkan.

Gürkan is able to access his computer using eye-tracking software using infrared rays which allows him to not only create and edit content but also stream video games to over 100,000 of his Twitch followers. Gürkan also uses text-to-speech software to communicate with his followers during streams.

Quite fittingly, the inspirational story of Ben Gürkan falls in line with Rare Disease Day which took place yesterday, 28 February. Rare Disease Day helps to raise awareness for all those that live with rare conditions, as well as their families and carers.

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