The power of the internet never ceases to amaze. Robert Gibbs, a morbidly obese man, loaded a video to YouTube on Friday, March 2, which was his 23rd birthday. In the video, the nearly 650-pound man from Livermore, California pleas for help for his weight and health.
Within a few days the video had gone viral, garnering over 750,000 hits. Gibbs’ words were desperate in the home video.
“This is my last chance, my last hope. I’m really scared I’m not going to be able to watch my niece and nephew grow up and I’m not going to get to have a family of my own,” he says in to the camera. “My birthday’s tomorrow, I turn 23, I’ve never had a life. I’m asking for somebody’s help.”
Gibbs made the video on the eve of his birthday as he reflected over his life. The young man has diabetes and bed sores and has landed in the hospital more than once. He admits to being trapped in his own prison and in an interview said, “why would anybody choose to be like this?”.
Gibbs began being interviewed by local news stations, however the attention didn’t stop there. Weight loss guru Chris Powell has offered his help. In addition a former “Biggest Loser” contestant has reached out to Gibbs along with The Dr. Phil Show.
A man without any hope on Thursday night has so many options on Monday that he has to evaluate which is best for him. Hopefully Gibbs’ 23rd birthday will be remembered as the best birthday of his life, the one that saved his life.