A Reddit user under the nickname Professional_Face337 shared his story about how a rare disease has taken away his ability to play CS at the same level as before. The player suffers from Epidermolysis Bullosa (Dystrophic EB) — a severe genetic condition that causes damage to the skin and hands. Now he can barely hold a mouse or press keys, so in search of help, he reached out to Team Vitality and told his story to the community.
From Childhood Passion to High Achievements
Professional_Face337 began his post by recalling his passion for Counter-Strike, before explaining how illness eventually took its toll:
I’ve been a CS player and fan since my early childhood. I grew up playing CS 1.6 and later CS:GO, and I’ve followed the pro scene for years. At my peak, I was a 2200 Elo Faceit player, grinding daily and dreaming of maybe going pro one day. But life threw a huge challenge at me.
I was born with a rare genetic skin condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa (Dystrophic EB). Over the years, this condition has caused severe damage to my hands. Now, I’m at the point where I can barely hold a mouse or press keys properly. My current elo is down to ~1400-1500, not because I lost my game sense, but because I’ve physically lost the ability to play like I used to.
A Last Chance for Surgery
After describing the daily struggles caused by his condition, Professional_Face337 also revealed that there may be a medical solution — though one far out of reach without help:
There’s a surgery that can restore some function to my hands, and there’s a specialist in Paris who can perform it. Unfortunately, it’s very expensive, and I have no way to afford it. My government doesn’t fund treatments abroad, and no doctors in my country can perform this specific operation.
I’ve sent a message to Team Vitality sharing my story and asking for help. I’m not sure what will happen — maybe nothing — but I still wanted to share this here because CS is a huge part of my life.
Epidermolysis Bullosa, the birth defect he was born with, is a painful and unusual genetic disorder. Even minor rubbing can cause his skin to tear and blister. Through the years, the disease has seriously impaired his hands, making routine activities a chore — and playing the game he loves, at a championship level, all but impossible.
Community Reaction
His tale resonated on Reddit, whose thousands of users commented in his support. Many expressed admiration and appreciation both for his tenacity and persistence, and his optimism either that professional esport organizations, or existing players, would come through and assist.
The community didn’t stop at sweet compliments — it offered practical solutions too. People suggested making a page on platforms like BuyMeACoffee, reaching out to streamers, or promoting the story on Twitter and YouTube in a bid to receive more exposure. Despite all the hurdles he faces in his native land, there was something sure: the CS community is more than willing to come out and show support and prove that no one has to handle it by themselves.
Conclusion
The journey of Professional_Face337 is a reminder of how fragile even the strongest dreams can be when life brings unexpected challenges. Yet, it also highlights the strength of the esports community when it comes together to support one of its own. For him, Counter-Strike is not just a pastime — it’s a symbol of hope, resilience, and the will to keep fighting.
