Vlogger beats challenges to inspire others to walk tall
When Gareth Mason was a teenager, a teacher once told him his dwarfism would never allow him to play sport – but that was just the beginning of him smashing all kinds of stereotypes.
Now with a thriving YouTube channel, Mason, 27, of Charlo, who incidentally went on to become cricket captain at Cape Recife High School, is working hard to motivate those living with disabilities.
Mason started a YouTube channel – Walking Tall with G-man – two years ago while unemployed which took off and gained the attention of DA leader Mmusi Maimane.
“People would point fingers and laugh but that is because they don’t quite understand what dwarfism is,” he said.
“They don’t know how to handle it and it leads into situations where people make fun of you.
“So I started my channel to let people know that ‘yes, we are different but we are all the same, just differently abled’,” he said.
Mason, a digital marketing specialist, has faced many challenges throughout his life from not being able to reach things to being overlooked for a job.
“I was unemployed for seven months.
“It was a very demotivating process but I did not want to sit and feel sorry for myself so I decided to make a difference instead and raise awareness of dwarfism and people with disabilities.
“I have had to develop a different approach to my life.
“I am still able-bodied, just shorter, and if I find things like going to the ATM challenging, or climbing certain steps, what about someone who is confined to a wheelchair?
“This sparked my video about the country’s inability to cater to people with disabilities. I then received the attention of [DA Eastern Cape leader] Nqaba Bhanga and Mmusi Maimane, which was cool.”
The DA leader sent Mason an e-mail thanking him for spreading awareness and encouraging him to continue his work.Mason has also made an appearance on Cliff Central and 5FM while giving motivational talks encouraging the youth.
His go-getter attitude alone is inspirational, but Mason said gratification often also came from people who have approached him and thanked him for his work.
“Not everyone is as confident as I am. I know people who are depressed or who are handling their situations badly and they need someone to give them that motivation.
“I am using this platform to change the way people think about dwarfism and it has changed my life by adding value to other people’s lives.
“I want people to be more respectful and understanding [about] people living with dwarfism and disabilities.”
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