On October 18, 2026, I'm running 42.2 kilometres through the streets of Toronto. Every single step is for the players who can't take one for granted.

I'm Mike, the founder of Freaking Cool Indies , a podcast and community built around helping indie game developers navigate the business side of making games. But this October, I'm lacing up for something bigger.

Play It Forward is a fundraiser benefiting AbleGamers , a charity that has spent over 20 years making gaming accessible to players with disabilities. They connect players with adaptive equipment, train developers to build more inclusive games, and are currently working to bring esports to the Paralympics.

I'm running this marathon because I'm grateful. Grateful that I can. And I want to turn that gratitude into something real.

Gaming changed my life. From the first time I picked up an NES controller to the Game Boy tattoo on my arm, games have been a constant.

But not everyone can pick up a controller. Not everyone can navigate a menu. Not everyone can experience the worlds we build without help.

AbleGamers changes that. Their Adaptive Gaming Specialists work one-on-one with players to find the right solutions. Not a one-size-fits-all answer, but a personalized approach.

Every dollar raised goes directly to supporting their mission.

How You Can Help:

Donate: Every dollar makes a difference. A $25 donation can help fund adaptive equipment assessments. A $50 donation supports developer accessibility training.

Subscribe: Can't donate right now? I'm personally adding $2 to the fundraiser for every new newsletter subscriber (don't forget to accept the verification email. Check Spam) and $1 for every new YouTube subscriber during Play It Forward episodes. Your support grows this campaign even if your wallet can't right now.

Share: Send this page to someone who cares about gaming, accessibility, or just doing something good. Every share extends the reach.

If you made it this far, you are the absolute best! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Mike Arnone

Freaking Cool Indies