Jacob Giasomo became a caregiver for his godfather Larry LeBron Jordan Lee, who has cerebral palsy, at age 18
Credit: Jacob Giasomo
NEED TO KNOW
- Jacob Giasomo became a caregiver for his godfather, Larry LeBron Jordan Lee, who has cerebral palsy, at age 18
- Traveling with Jordan Lee helped Giasomo overcome social anxiety and gain a new perspective on caregiving and connection
- The duo’s TikTok videos documenting their adventures have inspired millions and brought Giasomo a sense of purpose
Before traveling the country and world with his godfather Larry LeBron Jordan Lee, Jacob Giasomo says he struggled with something most people around him probably never noticed: talking to people.
“I used to be a wallflower,” the 25-year-old tells PEOPLE exclusively.
Now, years later, after documenting cross-country adventures with Jordan Lee for millions online, Giasomo says he can “literally talk to anybody about anything.”
“It actually cured my social anxiety,” he says.
According to Giasomo, the transformation didn't happen overnight. It came slowly through years spent alongside Jordan Lee, his godfather, who has cerebral palsy and whom Giasomo unexpectedly became a caregiver for shortly after graduating from technical college at 18.
“He never hesitates to have me push him up to someone,” Giasomo says of Jordan Lee. “If somebody catches his eye, we have to go say hi.”
Credit: Jacob Giasomo
At first, Giasomo says the constant conversations with strangers felt uncomfortable. But over time, Jordan Lee's outgoing personality and fearless approach to life began rubbing off on him.
“After hanging out with Larry, I can literally talk to anybody about anything,” he says.
The experience also shifted Giasomo's perspective on the world around him.
“When I first started taking care of Larry, I realized the stark differences in people's lives,” he says. “If I want to go somewhere, I simply can. That's not reality for everybody physically or financially.”
@larrys_dream
Portland Maine 9th day of our New England 2nd day in Maine 38th state. After lobstering, ferrying and golf carting it’s on our way to New harbor #livelikelarry #portlandmaine #newharbor #newengland #fyp
♬ original sound – larrys_dream
That realization became even more apparent once the pair began traveling together more regularly.
Over the past several years, Giasomo says some of the moments that have impacted him most haven't necessarily been the destinations themselves, but rather the people they've encountered along the way — especially children with disabilities.
“We're always making friends with young kids in similar situations,” he says. “Larry tries to inspire them a little bit to show them that if he can travel and have friends and live life to the fullest, so can they.”
Watching those interactions unfold, Giasomo says, changed the way he viewed both caregiving and connection.
“Sometimes just a helping hand is all someone needs,” he says. “And it can mean the world.”
@larrys_dream
Peabody Essex Museum Museum in Salem + bookstock in Woodstock, Vermont. Toured the whole museum, went to a used book sale bought 11 books then went to the showing of the BlacKKKlansman and stayed for the post screening discussion with Kevin Willmott, one of the screen writers for the movie, Also got our first hotel room. #livelikelarry #Salem #Woodstock #bookstockfestival #fyp
♬ original sound – larrys_dream
Eventually, Giasomo began posting videos of the pair online simply to keep friends and family updated on their travels. But after years of encouragement from people around them, he decided to start sharing clips on TikTok too.
He never expected the response.
Since then, videos showing the duo's everyday life — from road trips and campsite meals to heartfelt interactions with strangers — have amassed millions of views, with viewers frequently commenting about how inspired they feel watching the pair together.
“I was just doing what I felt was right and what my mother taught me,” Giasomo says. “I didn't realize how much it touched people.”
@larrys_dream
4th day of our New England road trip 2nd day in Massachusetts an our 35th state together. We will be hitting a few museums tomorrow and then maybe heading to Salem #livelikelarry #Boston #adventures #roadtrip #cerebralpalsy
♬ original sound – larrys_dream
As their following continued to grow, Giasomo says the response online unexpectedly changed him too.
“For the first time in my life, I feel seen and appreciated for who I am,” he says.
The experience, he adds, has helped him develop “a deep appreciation for life more than ever.”
Credit: Jacob Giasomo
Now, as he continues traveling with Jordan Lee and documenting their adventures online, Giasomo says he hopes their story encourages others to show more compassion toward the people around them.
For him, what began as helping his godfather through a transitional moment in life ultimately gave him a new sense of purpose, too.
“Love is everything,” Giasomo says. “I just believe if we all treated each other how we would like to be treated, the world would be perfect.”
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