Every fan has their own reason for loving Nintendo, whether it’s because of their favorite characters, favorite console games or because their games can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
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But fifth-grader Hibiki Sakai has an unique reason for enjoying the Nintendo series Rhythm Heaven– he can play the games in the series even though he’s blind.
Hibiki lost his eyesight as a toddler due to a childhood cancer called retinoblastoma, and after the cancer left him blind Hibiki developed a love of rhythm- and he even started playing the drums.
12/24(土)AM1314ラジオ大阪主催:2016ラジオチャリティーミュージックソン
ドラム演奏出演#RADWIMPS /#前前前世 前半#全盲ドラマー#totallyblinddrummer#10歳#君の名は。 #KimiNoNawa#ラジオ大阪pic.twitter.com/ZhfSaW6xCv— けんたろー (@kentarock1020) December 25, 2016
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His love of rhythm led Hibiki to play the Rhythm Heaven games, which he could actually play with other kids, and in this way Nintendo changed his life- so he wrote them a letter to thank them.
Here’s the translation:
Dear Nintendo,
How do you do. My name is Hibiki Sakai, and I am in 5th grade.
I cannot see with my eyes, but I have always wanted to play games, just like everybody else. There were hardly any games I could play.
The only game I could actually play was “Rhythm Heaven.” I was able to enjoy only this game with others, and no one could beat me in this game.
I have perfected the game on Game Boy Advance, Game Boy DS, Wii, and 3DS.
Therefore, I strongly hope you keep making “Rhythm Heaven” going forward. I can handle it, even if you made it a little bit harder!!
I am sure that there are many visually impaired kids besides me who want to but cannot play games.
That is why I hope you develop games that people with physical disabilities can enjoy with other people. I will continue to support Nintendo.
From: Hibiki Sakai
Nintendo showed they genuinely appreciated Hibiki’s letter by sending him a letter in return, which was printed in braille and promised they’d “keep doing our best to create games that everyone can have fun with.”
Hibiki’s dad Kentaro was thrilled by their response:
“As parents, we were truly surprised to get a prompt and sincere response to a letter written by a child. Regardless of whether a new version is released or not, we were very happy that the letter brought hope to Hibiki.”
“Hibiki taught us that people are not unfortunate because of their disabilities, rather, the heart that is weakened by the disabilities is unfortunate. By changing his blindness from a fate to a mission, he fights on everyday toward a big goal of becoming a drummer who can bring courage and hope to the world.”
-Via BuzzFeed
Source: neatorama