Yeovil stroke survivor Steve tackles daunting gaming challenge with one hand and his chin to raise funds for Stroke Association

A Yeovil man who lost the use of his right side after a severe stroke is tackling a sponsored gaming marathon using only his left hand, chin and mouth.

Steve D’Arcy will be raising funds for the Stroke Association, the only charity in the UK providing life-long support for all stroke survivors and their families.

His 12-hour challenge on Saturday 31 August from 12noon will be made all the more difficult as he has to battle the extreme fatigue which many stroke survivors are left with.

Steve, 42, said gaming had given him hope after his stroke as it was something he could still enjoy despite his disabilities.

“When I had my stroke it took away my whole right hand side,” said Steve. “I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t speak clearly. The outcome looked bleak and I thought my life was going to change for the worst.

“I had a massive passion for gaming. With time and with learning came an effect that I didn’t know… it would help me recover by giving me the courage and the confidence to go again and just try new goals because I could game the same as everyone else and win. I knew that if I could do that, I could do anything.

“Gaming improved my cognitive thinking, it improved my speech massively. It’s been an in-home therapy.

“My event is going to be a 12-hour stream marathon. It’s going to involve gaming, giveaways, tournaments and talks. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

“It’s going to be challenging mentally and with my fatigue. With me using one hand and using my chin and lip to control and push the button it it’s going to hurt my left arm.

“When someone who hasn’t had a stroke picks up a control pad they can sit there and play without thinking. I’ve got to think five times more about everything I do. People see me on screen how I use my chin and my mouth to control the buttons. I have a paddle on the back. It’s very difficult for me.

“It’s going to be taxing. It’s going to take a lot of hard work but I’m sure that the gaming community I have on board is going to help me.

“I’ll be playing Call of Duty, Rocket League, APEX, Arcadia and other games. If you can’t donate, mention it to a friend and tell them about stroke.”

To support Steve’s Gaming Marathon go to https://justgiving.com/page/stephen-darcy-1721055072729

You can watch Steve’s challenge and get involved live on his twitch channel

https://www.twitch.tv/1handedgamer82

Steve has set himself a target of £1,000 which will help the Stroke Association support other stroke survivors and carers.

“From the start the support from the Stroke Association was massive,” he said. The first people I called was the Stroke Association. They give me tips on how to set goals. They started me off on my miraculous journey all the way.

“The Stroke Association helped me when I had my stroke, I’m just giving back.”

This will be Steve’s third stream for stroke for the Stroke Association and his previous two raised £1,500.

“I would do 24 hours but fatigue would knock me out. 12 hours feels like an eternity. I can normally only go about three hours before I get too tired.”

Steve had been fit and healthy before his stroke in January 2019 and had even run a marathon earlier that year. Doctors were never able to pinpoint the cause of his stroke. He had been a delivery driver but is now unable to work.

“My daughter Sophie was only nine when I had my stroke. The people around you have got to live a different way. Their lives change as well. It’s all a stress.

“I want to get stroke awareness out there. I want to put out the message to get a blood pressure monitor, look at your diet and exercise, get in contact with your body or one day it will get in touch with you, and it won’t be good. If I can help someone think about their health, then that’s my goal.”

Steve was supported by the charity’s Stroke Support Helpline, online forum and website which is packed with information for survivors and carers. Visit stroke.org.uk or call the dedicated Stroke Support Helpline on 0303 3033 100 for information, guidance or a chat when times are tough.

Marvin White, relationship fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said: “We’re so happy we were able to be there for Steve after his stroke. It’s amazing to see how gaming has helped Steve rebuild his life and now he’s using those gaming skills to raise funds for our charity.

“Our specialist support, research and campaigning are only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community and the generosity of our supporters such as Steve and everyone who sponsors him.”