Gaten Matarazzo, 14, who plays Dustin on the hit Netflix show, talked about how the show’s popularity has given him a platform to speak out about his condition and raise awareness. “There’s a one in a million chance that you have of getting it – most likely you get it from a parent, but it just happened for me,” the young star told People. “I have a very mild case so it doesn’t affect me as much, but it can be a very difficult condition to have.”
[jwplatform O5b27gU5]
Gaten even said that he had to undergo numerous mouth surgeries, and that many others with the condition also have to get back and face surgery – which, fortunately, did not happen with Gaten. But even still, he revealed that there’s something really “cool” about his condition – due to an underdeveloped clavicle, he’s able to move his shoulders into the midline of his body!
Click here for pics of ‘Stranger Things’ season one
“People are like, ‘Well, you can do these cool things with your shoulders,'” he said. “That part’s cool about it.” And not only that, but the amazing success of Stranger Things has also made Gaten a role model for others who suffer from cleidocranial dysplasia – especially to his young fans!
“The feedback has been great,” he admitted. “A lot of people were messaging me saying, ‘You made me feel better about myself, that you can show that you have this condition on TV and embrace it.’ I feel like I’m raising awareness for it. It makes me feel good.”
HollywoodLifers, what do you think about Gaten being so brave about his condition?