Impact story - Asa

At just 8 years old, Asa survived a tragic shooting on an Oakland freeway that left him paralyzed from the neck down. His life changed instantly. But through resilience, community support, and accessible technology, Asa’s spirit, and sense of play, remained intact.

This is the story of how one moment of triumph, made possible through long-term relationships and adapted gaming equipment, became a turning point in Asa’s recovery and a defining example of the work now carried forward by ReSpawn Foundation.

Through hospital partnerships, Asa and his care teams received adaptive equipment, guidance, and ongoing support. Using the Quadstick, a controller for players with limited mobility, Asa practiced until one day, he looked up and said: “Daddy, I did it.”

That moment, caught on video, became a powerful symbol of what adaptive gaming can unlock: independence, joy, and renewed confidence.

His father, deeply moved, offered to give back and support others.