The video, which lasts about 2-and-a-half minutes, shows young Benjamin meticulously manipulating each Rubik’s Cube to get a combination of red, white, yellow, and blue tiles to create a pixelated likeness of Cena and his trademark square jaw.
The video was a chance for Benjamin to make people more aware of dyslexia. As he explains through a series of signs at the beginning, “I struggle with reading and writing. I mix up my words. I get very frustrated and upset too sometimes.” However, Benjamin doesn’t see dyslexia through the prism of what he can’t do. “Having dyslexia also means I can do something amazing!” his signs say.
Mom Melanie Russo has been a big supporter of Benjamin’s Rubik’s Cube projects, seeing them as a way to get the word about what dyslexic people can do. “Our goal is to spread awareness about dyslexia and have Benjamin feel good about something he (can) do that most people can’t,” she says. While people with dyslexia often have issues reading, their brains can give them an advantage for other tasks.
Dad Louis Russo adds that the whole venture has been about changing perceptions about “disability.” “We never talk about the advantages and the special gifts that many dyslexics have, and Benjamin is not alone,” he said.
Getting recognized on Twitter by his wrestling icon was a big surprise, and despite being a shy, reserved kid, Benjamin “does get excited as to how many likes he gets on his YouTube video and especially when John Cena tweeted about him!” his mom told TODAY.
“He’s a hero of mine [...] He is extremely talented and extremely gifted,” Cena said. He encouraged everyone watching the show to go check out Benjamin’s video, saying that “his message is so wise beyond his years.”
However, Benjamin only has so many Rubik’s Cubes to work with, so when he wanted to start a new project, creating a mosaic depicting Keanu Reeves from “John Wick,” he had to take the old one apart. His Instagram feed hasn’t announced who his next tribute will be dedicated to.