After posting a “selfie” to instagram, Madison Heights, Mich., resident Jamel Binion received more attention than he’d expected. As a child, Binion was diagnosed with a rare disorder, ectodermal dysplasia. The disorder causes abnormal hair growth, underdeveloped teeth and reduced sweat production. Binion says he has been teased all of his life because of his medical condition but he never would’ve imagined being mocked by celebrities.
Binion gained unwanted social media fame after being posted on Shaquille O’Neal’s Instagram page. The photo of Shaq posing alongside a picture of Binion garnered over 14,000 likes and 400 comments. The photo also became popular on other social media sites such as Twitter. Binion found out from a friend that he had become the laughingstock of social media and was very disappointed. “Why is Shaq making fun of me when he’s supposed to be a role model? I watched him all season,” said Binion.
Aside from O’Neal’s social media sites, Binion was also made fun of by current Utah Jazz NBA player Trey Burkes, as well as rapper Wacka Flocka Flame. Binion’s selfie gained 10,000 likes and over 5,000 comments were garnered from the post made by Wacka Flocka.
Binion has reached out to all of the celebrities who have participated in this cruel activity via social media officials and received no response however, reportedly O’Neal has removed the photo from his page.
Although this was a very harsh thing for Binion to have experienced, he has still remained positive and has allowed this experience to propel him into launching an anti-bullying campaign called “Hug, don’t judge.”
