Finding a Disability Friendly Hobby

By Chaz Hayden

2 min read

Recently I felt like I was stuck in a rut with my hobbies or activities to unwind. It seemed like I was either on my computer or watching TV. And that’s pretty common for everyone, not just people with disabilities, but an able-bodied person definitely has a lot more choices when it comes to adding a third or fourth activity to the loop.

Disability limits choices of activities

Somebody with more strength and independence can go for a walk, hop in the car to drive around town, go to the gym, do some gardening, or an array of anything else. Having a disability limits choices when it comes to finding the right hobby and most of it involves some kind of technology.

Technology offers freedom

I’m sure most of my disabled peers have no problem with constantly needing technology since it’s really the place that gives us the most freedom (besides our wheelchairs). But I’m getting a little bit tired of staring at a screen and so are my eyes which seem to never get a break from that dreadful blue light. Plus, I’m kind of an old-fashioned guy who enjoys old-fashioned things like reading a physical book instead of an e-book. Something about holding a hardcover just hits different.

Relying on technology

Reading is a hobby but if I want to read then I need someone nearby to help change the page because unfortunately I can’t do that myself. So, my only way to read independently has me going right back to technology.

Walking around my neighborhood if the weather is nice can be a good way to relax, but what if I hit a bump and my hand falls off the joystick? That would suck so I’d need someone to tag along but then I’m still not doing the activity independently.

You see, my hobby conundrum is multi-layered: finding an activity that doesn’t just involve my eyes glued to a screen and doing said activity independently.

As good as anyone with gaming

I started thinking about what I enjoyed doing when I was younger and apparently a lot of my childhood was consumed by video games. Gaming was always the one thing I could do without any assistance or adaptions and I was just as good as my able-bodied friends.

Now, trouble with the controller

I regularly played video games up until a few years ago when I bought a PS4 and noticed I was having trouble with the controller. I couldn’t hold it for as long as I used to or mash the same buttons which was previously a thoughtless movement. Video games, the freedom of adventure and mindless entertainment, were leaving me and I didn’t like that.

Finding a way to get back into gaming

I gave up playing just out of pure frustration. But over the past few weeks, while I pondered a new hobby, video games popped into my head. Now I’m determined to figure out a way to play that accommodates my current physical strengths and still provides the same thrill.

And, I have! Stay tuned for a future article about gaming with a disability.

In the meantime, I know you’re thinking that video games totally contradict my desire to find an activity away from a screen. You’re right, but it’s also great occupational therapy and that has to give some bonus points.

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CommunityMember68 Member
I know the things I used to do, and I really miss some of these things. One thing I'm figuring out - growing a vegetable garden. It's so relaxing. Well - it's not happening without a little help from my friends. Raised beds, and a variety of user friendly support and I've got tomatoes growing - next year, my mission is a few more easy veggies like radish or zucchini and cucumber! Extra points for being outside and getting out of my comfort zone in the sunshine.
1. abby-schmidt Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember68" user-id="4830576"/> Love your optimistic outlook on this! Thank you for sharing. I think gardening is such a special hobby and such a great one to share with friends. When were you diagnosed with SMA? We'd love to hear your story. Warmly, Abby (Team member).
Pagz Member
I think that Gaming is probably the best Hobby for me or anything I can do with Assistive technology. Because you can do it in your Powerchair or Bed laying down so I am always able to do it and I have a moveable mounting bracket that can be put where you need it so you do not have to be able to hold something to do it with using that to hold it for you. And with Gaming it is like you are able to do what you are doing in the Game. Assistive technology gets you Access to other people and Places and things even if you are not able to do it yourself and go there I can do it here from Home with my Assistive technology any time I want to and I like that about it. So anybody else can do it too if you get the right Equipment to do it and I just keep trying to get better ways like this to do things like that now.
1. Chaz Hayden Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Pagz" user-id="4708031"/> I 100% agree. Gaming has always provided a sense of adventure and freedom for me too. Not to mention an activity I can share with my able-bodied friends. I'm glad gaming and assistive technology have brought you happiness. - Chaz, Team Member
Pagz Member
Yes Chaz that is what I like about it too that it is something that you can do with your abled body Friends and do it from Home too. You just need to find a Controller that you are able to use long term because some things do not work at all or only for a short period of time I found out so you need to keep trying different things. But it is something that you can do at any time and it kind of gets you away from things for awhile too I think.