Hi everyone,
My name is Tyrese. I’m 27 years old and from New York City. I have cerebral palsy, specifically triplegic cerebral palsy, which affects the left side of my body and both of my legs. I’m completely wheelchair-bound and only have the use of my right hand.
About four or five months ago, my 19-year-old cousin got me back into gaming after I’d been away from it for quite a while. Since then, I’ve discovered the incredible world of competitive gaming, especially the fighting game community and Street Fighter 6.
For years, I watched tournaments and high-level players on YouTube, but this past weekend I attended my first Street Fighter 6 tournament in Manhattan. Experiencing it in person took my excitement to a completely different level. The atmosphere, the competition, and being surrounded by people who genuinely love breaking down the game made me realize that I want to work toward competing myself.
As a gamer with a disability, I still have a lot to figure out when it comes to my setup. I’m trying to find a controller and overall configuration that works with my physical limitations so I can consistently move my character, execute combos, time Drive Impacts, Drive Parries, and other mechanics as effectively as possible.
While I’m still figuring out the hardware side of things, I wanted to ask the community for advice.
Beyond simply practicing combos, what are the biggest skills or habits that a new competitive player should focus on? What should I be practicing now if my long-term goal is to compete at a higher level?
I’d also love to hear from other players with disabilities. What have been your biggest challenges? Are there things you wish you had considered earlier when choosing a controller or building your setup? Are there any accessibility tips that have made a big difference for you?
One of my biggest goals is to see more people with physical disabilities represented in the Street Fighter and fighting game communities, especially here in New York City. Going to that tournament reminded me that the FGC is about much more than just winning. It was inspiring to be around people who are passionate about improving, learning from one another, and sharing their knowledge. It was an incredibly valuable experience that motivated me to keep practicing and build my confidence as both a player and a competitor.
If there are any players with disabilities who are active in the New York tournament scene, I’d love to connect. Whether it’s talking about your experience, comparing setups, or even getting in some practice games, I’d really appreciate the opportunity to learn from you.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this, and I truly appreciate any advice you can share.