SCI Superstar: Chuck Bittner

With the tongue-in-cheek gamer nickname ONLYUSEmeFACE, Chuck Bittner is one of the world’s most impressive gamers. As a C5 quadriplegic, Chuck plays console games using only his face and since 2011, he’s been on a mission to bring universal key remapping to the gaming industry.

In layman’s speak – he wants every console game to allow players to change which keys on a controller control movement for gameplay. He has amassed hundreds of signatures over the years, and he’s still pounding the industry hard.

Also a hilarious self-dubbed “can’t stand up comedian,” Chuck has introduced a whole new world into life with quadriplegia. Here is his awesome story.

Why He’s Fearless

Growing up in New England, Chuck fell in love with gaming but after a car accident at the age of 20 year, old his love was confronted with a huge problem – he could no longer move his hands. How in the heck was he going to play?  Things were looking bleak, but soon he figured out a way to still play, and that was by using his face.

While living in Exeter, New Hampshire, Chuck began using one face to play nearly 19 years ago and now it’s his preferred method.  He has gotten so good at it in fact that he started a video channel showing the world how he plays and it now has over 600 videos.  Known as AskaCapper, his site will show whatever his viewers request.

Since being forced to use his face to play, this is now his preferred method. His main gaming love is Call of Duty; a game he’s been playing for years and sometimes even along with his 69 year old dad, who’s one of the oldest players. But his main passion outside an actual gameplay is trying to change the industry, and key remapping to be specific.

In 2011, Chuck began promoting his petition at PAX East, a national gaming conference in Boston, approaching game developers like Sony and the makers of Borderlands, Gearbox Software. While feedback from developers has been mixed, Chuck feverishly tries to persuade developers on the monetary aspect of things as well.

The truth – some games have been changed because of Chuck, but only a few and they’re not well known. A lot of work still needs to be done in this area.

What’s next?

Around four years ago is when Chuck also threw his hat in the comedy ring, joking about everything from sex to being “the inspirational kid.” While his style of comedy may not be for everybody, it definitely helps bring home the message that people with spinal cord injuries are still just like everyone else.

After a spinal cord injury, it’s never easy finding your path again and we love how Chuck has found his. An path definitely less traveled, he is committed to making a difference in the gaming and comedy worlds which he resides, and we love him for it.

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