THIS weekend, four Twitch streamers as well some very special guests will be taking part in a special eight-hour broadcast bringing insight and education about Multiple Scierosis. MS is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the central nervous system and affects more than 25,600 Aussies. Today is also World MS Day, however events in support of this special day are held throughout the month of May. The team at Twitch and the Multiple Scierosis International Foundation along with science and technology company, Merck, are coming together to bring awareness to the greater gaming community. Taking in this years theme, MS Connections, Twitch streamers will be broadcasting from 2am AEST May 31st on their own channels while chatting to people affected by MS and those who work closely with community.
One guest living with MS is New Zealand-born content director, Hamish Bode. Now living in Sweden, the 33-year-old is a passionate gamer who also works for gaming company MASSIVE. Hamish was diagnosed with MS in 2014, but that hasn’t stopped him from living his life to the fullest. He’s still extremely passionate about video games as well as helping those with MS live their lives positively. Not only is he a guest during the special broadcast on May 31 but he’s even helped develop this Twitch campaign.
“Gaming is a huge equaliser – you can choose to be who you want to be and enjoy experiences
that aren’t determined by physical or mental aspects that might limit other areas of your life.
It can play a big part in helping people dealing with health issues such as MS,” said Hamish.
“For me, gaming is not just about the experience on your screen but the people you share it
with, and I think that’s often overlooked in discussions about gaming. Now more than ever,
people can create meaningful connections in the gaming space, and I think that deserves a
whole lot of celebration. Gaming is for everyone, really, but is particularly a great way for
people to free themselves from some of the isolation, loneliness or other limitations due to
their MS.”
Catch Hamish chatting to Twitch broadcaster Swiftor on Twitch.tv/swiftor from 8am AEST. You can find the full roster for the special World MS Day Twitch event below.
• 2 – 4am: Host gamer ‘YogsCast’ will talk with Luke Thomas, Director of Fundraising
and Engagement at MSIF, about World MS Day with Eddie, who is living with MS
• 4 – 6am: Host ‘NickEh30’ and Dr. Wallace Brownlee, MS Specialist Neurologist at the
National Hospital in London, England, will cover the basics of MS
• 6 – 8am: Host ‘BrookeAB’ and Trishna, who is living with MS, will talk about the
importance of staying physically active
• 8 – 10am: Host streamer ‘Swiftor’ will game live with Hamish, who lives with MS, and
discuss Hamish’s love of gaming, and also how it benefits him ‘IRL’ (in real life)
