Streamer YvMHawking Creates Content

YvMHawking, a Twitch streamer, has ALS and is unable to use his arms or legs, but he still uses just his eyes to create content, edit movies, and even build video games.

Turkish Twitch streamer Ben Gürkan, 32, has more than 10,000 subscribers. He studies postgraduate biology at AIBU and creates games in his own time. Gürkan has ALS, a neurodegenerative condition that damages the neurons in the brain and spinal cord and results in a loss of body-wide muscular control. He is unable to utilize any of his limbs as a result. So how does he broadcast on Twitch? How does he research? 

Gürkan claims that he can operate his computer using an eye tracker, and as a result of his efforts, he has had a lot of success on Twitch. Gürkan’s computer monitor has an eye tracker mounted to the bottom of it. The tracker can follow the streamer’s gaze using infrared rays, enabling him to play video games and communicate with viewers by employing certain eye movements. 

When Gürkan was 25 years old, he first started to experience ALS symptoms. He started streaming since he was forced to spend his days in front of a computer by the side-effects of his disease. He says in the ‘about’ section on his Twitch channel; “As you know, my whole day is spent in front of the computer. I wanted to open a publication while I was dealing with something.”

Now, viewers can watch Gürkan play video games while directing animated characters with only his eyes while lying back in bed by tuning into his streams. Also, he communicates with supporters via text to speech software, building a vibrant and encouraging fan base. Gürkan is an inspiration to gamers and streamers all over the world since he overcame the odds and isn’t letting ALS slow him down in the least.