AMassachusetts-based content creator and activist was the focus of a Twitter trending topic on Monday. The trend was in relation to a video he released raising awareness of his syndrome while calling on users of the site to say hello and share his hashtag.
Boston resident Justin Gigliotti, who uses the handle @syndrome22q1, received a wave of support from users of the social network after uploading the short 29-second clip to his profile that was seeking “hellos from millions of people from around the world.”
What Is 22q Syndrome? #HeyJustin Trends as Man With Disorder Asks for Millions of HellosThe term #HeyJustin became a trending topic and had been used over 18,000 times as of Tuesday morning. His tweet attracted over 13,000 responses.Gigliotti explained in the video upload that he had a disability called 22q syndrome and he was “curious” to see how many people would respond to his request. He added: It would make my day… it would make my heart happy, it would make me happy.”
The syndrome can lead to a variety of medical problems, including “heart defects, poor immune system function, a cleft palate, complications related to low levels of calcium in the blood, and delayed development with behavioral and emotional problems.”
Gigliotti YouTube’s account, which does not appear to have been active in the past year, has gained about 58,000 views since being launched in 2016, analytics show.
The profile contains videos discussing the syndrome, which he calls 22q, and uploads have sought the attention of comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
DeGeneres replied to one of Gigliotti’s posts in 2019 after he called for people to send Christmas wishes with the hashtag #MerryChristmasJustin.
In a video in February 2017, Gigliotti said he endured multiple heart surgeries relating to his syndrome, but that would not get in the way of his life ambitions.
He stated: “If you have a disability or if you have a syndrome that shouldn’t stop you from doing what you want to do, whether it’s making videos or having that awesome job. For me, having 22q syndrome is not going to stop me from making music, that is not going to stop me from putting videos up on YouTube. It’s not going to stop me.”
SOURCE: newsweek.