Custom Adaptive Gaming Rig Empowers Daire Gorman with Crommelin Syndrome
Two years ago, 12-year-old Daire Gorman was preparing for surgery to treat a rare medical condition and urgently needed a new way to play video games. This challenge led to a partnership with Big Life Fix, an RTE television program that connects skilled Irish designers to people who need customized solutions to improve their everyday lives. Since its launch in 2020, the show has assisted disabled athletes, artists, and professionals in rediscovering their passions through innovative adaptations—and Daire hoped to be the next to benefit.
For Daire’s project, the Big Life Fix team collaborated with tech giants Microsoft and Logitech, two leading creators of computer peripherals, to design a custom gaming setup tailored specifically for his unique needs.
“Gaming isn’t just a hobby for me,” Daire shared during an interview at home with RTE. “When I’ve had a tough day or feel frustrated, gaming helps me escape—it’s like my own little holiday.”
Daire has Crommelin Syndrome, an extremely rare disorder affecting only seven people worldwide. He was born missing parts of his arms below the elbows, without femur bones in his legs, and with just four toes on each foot. Despite these physical challenges, his vibrant personality shines brightest.
Trevor Vaugh, a designer and inventor on the Big Life Fix show who first worked with Daire, remarked, “While his condition limits many physical activities—he can’t walk easily and doesn’t have arms—his incredible spirit truly stands out.”
Logitech’s Niall White added, “He’s incredibly positive and outgoing. He never lets his challenges bring him down.”
Before his surgery, Daire played games using only his feet, which had become remarkably strong and flexible, curling his toes inward to press the controller buttons. Even though this caused discomfort and pain, gaming brought him immense happiness.
“That controller is my lifeline,” Daire said during the interview, holding a PlayStation controller between his feet. “Whenever I feel upset or stressed, I come here. It’s my safe place.”
Although the upcoming surgery aimed to straighten Daire’s legs and reduce pain, it would unfortunately restrict his ability to grip a controller for extended periods.
Following months of development and testing, the Big Life Fix team, including Logitech engineer Shane Phelan, created a brand-new custom gaming rig for Daire. More than twenty people contributed, resulting in a gaming chair with pedal controls on a footpad and RGB-lit arm cuffs featuring multiple buttons, allowing Daire to use both his feet and arms—a capability his previous setup didn’t offer. The customizable lighting also let Daire personalize his rig.
When presented with the new setup, Daire placed his arms into the cuffs, paused, wiped away tears, and was overwhelmed with gratitude.
“It’s amazing,” he whispered through tears. “It’s incredible!”
His father shared, “What they’ve done is mind-blowing. For professionals to dedicate their free time to help our son—I can’t thank them enough.”
A Rig Built to Endure
Initially, Daire’s new rig seemed perfect, and he eagerly underwent surgery anticipating a future of gaming and recovery.
But the excitement didn’t last. The rig quickly began to malfunction: buttons stuck, and longer play sessions caused significant arm fatigue.
When Logitech learned about these issues, they sent a team to work closely with Daire to find solutions. Despite numerous repairs and adjustments, new problems continued to emerge, revealing that minor fixes wouldn’t suffice. It became clear Daire deserved a completely rebuilt rig that could last a lifetime.
Logitech then brought in Anna Hurley, a talented product design graduate from the University of Limerick, who was given full creative freedom to reimagine Daire’s accessible gaming setup.
“It was a big challenge,” Hurley recalled. “We had just three months to do what would usually take over a year. But Daire had waited long enough, so we got straight to work.”
Reviewing the original design, Hurley found several flaws: the footpad and arm cuffs weren’t durable enough to handle the full force of Daire’s arms and feet during gameplay, causing wear on buttons, joysticks, and circuit boards. The arm cuffs also forced Daire to hold his arms straight out, which caused fatigue and limited his playtime. Additionally, the footpad was too small and uncomfortable, with sharp edges and no resting space. Finally, the bulky circular base of the chair made it difficult for Daire to get in and out without help—a major concern for a teenager wanting independence.
Hurley and the team stripped the design back to basics and rebuilt the chair with durability and accessibility as priorities.
After extensive prototyping and testing, including visits from Daire and his family to Logitech’s Cork office, the new design featured a much larger, stronger footpad with plenty of cushioned space. The arm cuffs were replaced with joysticks similar to those on Daire’s electric wheelchair, reducing arm fatigue. The heavy circular base was swapped for a compact, flat panel, allowing Daire to use any chair and enter or exit on his own. To add a personal touch, the team painted a large Liverpool FC crest on the rig, reflecting Daire’s love for the team.
“Daire was so adaptable and fun to work with,” Hurley said after completing the project.
“Anna was incredible—bright, organized, and she went above and beyond,” praised Mona Sharma, Logitech’s Senior Industrial Designer and Hurley’s mentor during the project.
Christmas Came Early
On December 20th, 2024, Hurley, Niall, and other Logitech team members traveled from Cork to Daire’s home to deliver the redesigned gaming rig. The four-hour journey took them through bustling cities and peaceful countryside to Daire’s hometown.
Once the new setup was installed, surrounded by his Liverpool memorabilia, Daire’s face lit up as he rolled his wheelchair towards it.
“Oh, wow!” he exclaimed. Settling into the chair, he placed his feet on the footpad and his hand on the joystick—the same one he used to drive his wheelchair—and immediately started playing without any issues.
Hurley recalled, “He was completely absorbed in the game. I hardly heard a word from him.”
She added, “Working with Daire and his family was such a positive experience—they were all so kind and supportive.”
Ongoing Support
Logitech continues to stay in touch with Daire’s family to ensure the rig remains in top condition and to address any future needs, aiming to provide him with the best possible gaming experience for years to come.
Click here to know more about design and innovation at Logitech.
For Daire’s project, the Big Life Fix team collaborated with tech giants Microsoft and Logitech, two leading creators of computer peripherals, to design a custom gaming setup tailored specifically for his unique needs.
“Gaming isn’t just a hobby for me,” Daire shared during an interview at home with RTE. “When I’ve had a tough day or feel frustrated, gaming helps me escape—it’s like my own little holiday.”
Daire has Crommelin Syndrome, an extremely rare disorder affecting only seven people worldwide. He was born missing parts of his arms below the elbows, without femur bones in his legs, and with just four toes on each foot. Despite these physical challenges, his vibrant personality shines brightest.
Trevor Vaugh, a designer and inventor on the Big Life Fix show who first worked with Daire, remarked, “While his condition limits many physical activities—he can’t walk easily and doesn’t have arms—his incredible spirit truly stands out.”
Logitech’s Niall White added, “He’s incredibly positive and outgoing. He never lets his challenges bring him down.”
Before his surgery, Daire played games using only his feet, which had become remarkably strong and flexible, curling his toes inward to press the controller buttons. Even though this caused discomfort and pain, gaming brought him immense happiness.
“That controller is my lifeline,” Daire said during the interview, holding a PlayStation controller between his feet. “Whenever I feel upset or stressed, I come here. It’s my safe place.”
Although the upcoming surgery aimed to straighten Daire’s legs and reduce pain, it would unfortunately restrict his ability to grip a controller for extended periods.
Following months of development and testing, the Big Life Fix team, including Logitech engineer Shane Phelan, created a brand-new custom gaming rig for Daire. More than twenty people contributed, resulting in a gaming chair with pedal controls on a footpad and RGB-lit arm cuffs featuring multiple buttons, allowing Daire to use both his feet and arms—a capability his previous setup didn’t offer. The customizable lighting also let Daire personalize his rig.
When presented with the new setup, Daire placed his arms into the cuffs, paused, wiped away tears, and was overwhelmed with gratitude.
“It’s amazing,” he whispered through tears. “It’s incredible!”
His father shared, “What they’ve done is mind-blowing. For professionals to dedicate their free time to help our son—I can’t thank them enough.”
A Rig Built to Endure
Initially, Daire’s new rig seemed perfect, and he eagerly underwent surgery anticipating a future of gaming and recovery.
But the excitement didn’t last. The rig quickly began to malfunction: buttons stuck, and longer play sessions caused significant arm fatigue.
When Logitech learned about these issues, they sent a team to work closely with Daire to find solutions. Despite numerous repairs and adjustments, new problems continued to emerge, revealing that minor fixes wouldn’t suffice. It became clear Daire deserved a completely rebuilt rig that could last a lifetime.
Logitech then brought in Anna Hurley, a talented product design graduate from the University of Limerick, who was given full creative freedom to reimagine Daire’s accessible gaming setup.
“It was a big challenge,” Hurley recalled. “We had just three months to do what would usually take over a year. But Daire had waited long enough, so we got straight to work.”
Reviewing the original design, Hurley found several flaws: the footpad and arm cuffs weren’t durable enough to handle the full force of Daire’s arms and feet during gameplay, causing wear on buttons, joysticks, and circuit boards. The arm cuffs also forced Daire to hold his arms straight out, which caused fatigue and limited his playtime. Additionally, the footpad was too small and uncomfortable, with sharp edges and no resting space. Finally, the bulky circular base of the chair made it difficult for Daire to get in and out without help—a major concern for a teenager wanting independence.
Hurley and the team stripped the design back to basics and rebuilt the chair with durability and accessibility as priorities.
After extensive prototyping and testing, including visits from Daire and his family to Logitech’s Cork office, the new design featured a much larger, stronger footpad with plenty of cushioned space. The arm cuffs were replaced with joysticks similar to those on Daire’s electric wheelchair, reducing arm fatigue. The heavy circular base was swapped for a compact, flat panel, allowing Daire to use any chair and enter or exit on his own. To add a personal touch, the team painted a large Liverpool FC crest on the rig, reflecting Daire’s love for the team.
“Daire was so adaptable and fun to work with,” Hurley said after completing the project.
“Anna was incredible—bright, organized, and she went above and beyond,” praised Mona Sharma, Logitech’s Senior Industrial Designer and Hurley’s mentor during the project.
Christmas Came Early
On December 20th, 2024, Hurley, Niall, and other Logitech team members traveled from Cork to Daire’s home to deliver the redesigned gaming rig. The four-hour journey took them through bustling cities and peaceful countryside to Daire’s hometown.
Once the new setup was installed, surrounded by his Liverpool memorabilia, Daire’s face lit up as he rolled his wheelchair towards it.
“Oh, wow!” he exclaimed. Settling into the chair, he placed his feet on the footpad and his hand on the joystick—the same one he used to drive his wheelchair—and immediately started playing without any issues.
Hurley recalled, “He was completely absorbed in the game. I hardly heard a word from him.”
She added, “Working with Daire and his family was such a positive experience—they were all so kind and supportive.”
Ongoing Support
Logitech continues to stay in touch with Daire’s family to ensure the rig remains in top condition and to address any future needs, aiming to provide him with the best possible gaming experience for years to come.
Click here to know more about design and innovation at Logitech.
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