A 10-year-old boy from Pennsylvania has shared a message about his rare genetic disorder in a touching video.
Giovanni Hamilton suffers from one of the rarest conditions in the world, Schwartz-Jampel syndrome, known as SJS.
In the video, Giovanni explains what his condition is and says it, ‘doesn’t make me less of a person because I can still do what everyone else does, I just have to do it a little different.’
Giovanni let’s viewers know that it hurts his feelings when people think he’s a baby or that his younger sister is older than him because he’s smaller than her.
He also adds: ‘And it hurts my feelings when people think I don’t have teeth or that I’m not smart because I’m in a wheelchair.’
He says he wishes people saw him as a funny, smart, kind 10-year-old boy who likes football, pizza, cookies and ice-cream.
Giovanni Hamilton posted a video to tell viewers about his condition and what hurts his feelings
Giovanni, 10, has Schwartz-Jampel syndrome. The condition causes permanent muscle stiffness and weakness.
The fourth grader combats bullying with his positive attitude and contagious smile
SJS is a rare inherited disorder that causes permanent muscle stiffness and weakness. It’s also known as a type of dwarfism – keeping muscles tight and restricting them from growing normally
Giovanni was diagnosed with SJS at two years old and takes six medications for the pain every single day.
He’s undergone ten surgeries, including hip and jaw reconstruction surgery. He underwent eye surgery last month to help the muscles in his eye and prevent any blindness.
A Facebook post says: ‘The results are absolutely amazing! His incisions look amazing above his eyebrows and hopefully there will be minimal scaring.’
Giovanni curates all of his Facebook posts, tweets and YouTube videos with his mom, Shannon. She said Giovanni is very active on all platforms and even enjoys commenting back to some of his viewers. They’ve started the hashtag #TeamGiovanni.
‘For being smaller than everyone, boy he’s got the voice and personality to make up for it’, she told Dailymail.com.
The 10-year-old posts photos and videos to his Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to raise awareness about disabilities
The middle child of three, Giovanni loves to play with his siblings. He said it hurts his feelings when people think his sister is older than him because he’s smaller
Giovanni curates his social media platforms with his mom, Shannon. They also do exercises at home together when Giovanni has the day off from physical therapy
Doctors told the family there are only 88 reported cases of Schwartz-Jampel syndrome in the world, and the type that Giovanni has, has never been seen before.
The fourth grader doesn’t let this disorder stop him. On his YouTube channel are videos of him performing a magic show in his school’s talent contest and playing in the pool with his two siblings.
His mom said he has surpassed doctor’s expectations. After getting his body cast off from his hip replacement surgery, Giovanni was up and about within four hours, taking at least 10 steps. And though he’s not permitted to play sports, he walks far more than he was projected to.
The 10-year-old goes to therapy twice a week and does exercises at home each day involving stretching, swimming, and a medical bicycle.
He posts videos just being himself to raise awareness of people with disabilities and show that he’s just like any other kid.
His bright personality and positive attitude have combated bullies and even gotten the attention of TLC’s special Twice in a Million and his idol, wrestler John Cena, through the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Giovanni hopes that his videos will make people realize that their words matter.
Giovanni has undergone 10 surgeries, including eye surgery last month that helps him see properly
John Cena met Giovanni in 2015 and made his wish come true
Therapy for Giovanni includes swimming, stretching and exercising