The Internet can be a brutal place, thanks to anonymous bullying. But the Internet can also be a place of redemption, thanks to anonymous do-gooders! Case in point:
According to Kotaku, Adam “Loop” Bahriz is a 17 year-old who plays Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, a popular online shooting/military video game where team members consisting of players around the world log on and communicate via headset as they play.
Adam also has a condition called HSAN2, which has lead him to losing part of his nose and most of his teeth, and has caused him to be legally deaf and blind.
Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type II (HSAN2) is a rare genetic disorder which affects the nerves associated with the lower legs and feet and the lower arms and hands.
Losing sensation is a hallmark symptom, due to abnormal functioning of the sensory nerves that control responses to pain and temperature. The loss of sensation often leads to neglect of the wounds, which would explain why Adam has lost many of his teeth and nose.
But that hasn’t and doesn’t stop Adam from gaming – and gaming well!
One day, Adam told his online teammates the same thing he says before every game: He told them he has a condition which has lead to the removal of his teeth, which makes him sound different. That didn’t go over so well.
Adam was mocked, muted, and told not to talk – and then was kicked off the game.
And not for nothing, but the dude is a pretty good player! He was ranked #2 in his team!
But in another 21st century twist, this whole situation was actually being live streamed (it’s part of the game play), and one of his viewers posted about it on online, telling the community to “show him some love.” The viewers on his stream shot up to around 5,000, and people started donating hundreds of dollars.
After all was said and done, the online gamer community collectively donated over $6,000 for Adam!
His family has already scheduled surgeries he has needed (but couldn’t previously afford) – and Adam was offered a partnership deal with a streaming video game platform, where he can do what he loves and make some money while doing it!
How great it is that despite a few bad apples, the online gamer community really rallied for Adam? They couldn’t stand the idea that a fellow gamer with some disabilities was being bullied and kept from doing what he (and everyone in that community) loves doing.
This is a key example of being more than your condition.
Power on, Adam!
Watch an interview with Adam here. And read about the whole saga Kotaku here.
