Lizzie Velasquez was born with an extremely rare disease, which fewer than ten people in the world are known to have. In a video that got millions of hits when it was posted on YouTube, she was called “the ugliest woman in the world.” Some suggested she kill herself as a “service to humanity.” There were other, equally vicious, comments. Lizzie cried “like someone was hitting me.” Then, fortified by love from friends and family, as well as her faith, Lizzie picked herself back up. With her mother, Rita, she later coauthored the book Lizzie Beautiful: The Lizzie Velasquez Story.
Despite Lizzie’s facial abnormalities and ultra-thin body, she persevered and made many positives from what could have been a huge negative, urging gawkers to “Stop staring and start learning!” Her mission is to help people who feel different, as well as those who need help overcoming other obstacles in their lives. A masterful public speaker, Lizzie counsels that we strive to be the best we can be, and never let our differences keep us from reaching for the stars.
The syndrome left Lizzie with uneven features, blind in one eye and the other predicted to become blind, and a sixty-pound body that deposits less than 1% of fat (average female body fat is 25–32%). Lizzie’s daily intake of 5,000–8,000 calories would make other women of her 5-foot 2-inch frame dangerously obese. The average woman should eat only 2,000 calories a day.
Lizzie’s unusual physical characteristics were immediately accepted by her two loving parents and extended family. Her close friends since toddlerhood never made her feel unattractive. On Lizzie’s first day of kindergarten the children were afraid of her and treated her like a monster. Previously, Lizzie had been shielded from, or didn’t notice, any discouraging looks and words. Nonetheless, thanks to her friendly, likable personality, she was accepted the second day.
For grades one through three, Lizzie’s father, who taught at her school, would visit her class and skillfully give Lizzie’s classmates the message of inclusiveness. Not shy, Lizzie felt important at being the center of attention. By fourth grade, however, she no longer wanted Dad’s help. She was such a charmer that she later won the high-school vote for cheerleader.
The Ugliest Woman post inadvertently launched Lizzie’s career. “Tell me those negative things,” she says. “I’m gonna turn them around and use them as a ladder to climb up to my goals.” Her dream was to be a motivational speaker, and she turned that initial public taunt into her anti-bullying fight via videos seen on her own YouTube channel, which has garnered over 54 million views. She’s presented an impactful Ted talk, been featured on NBC’s Today Show among other TV shows, and is the star of a documentary titled A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story, which has won acclaim at nine film festivals. Lizzie has written three more books, and is an activist on behalf of a federal anti-bullying law.
Lizzie spends her days traveling around the country, lecturing not only about her anti-bullying efforts but on body acceptance, confidence, and empowerment. “Young girls and boys from all around the world let me know their personal story, and I can feel their smiles through their words,” she said. “To be able to look at those comments and just get encouragement from them and know that I am living the life that I’m supposed to is what keeps me going every day.”
At one time or another, most of us have agonized over our less-than-perfect looks. As a youngster, Lizzie used to pray to appear normal. She now seems to have self-acceptance and appears comfortable and confident in her own skin.
To learn more about Lizzie Velasquez, see the documentary film A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story. Lizzie’s solo books are: Dare to Be Kind : How Extraordinary Compassion Can Transform Our World; Be Beautiful, Be You; and Choosing Happiness.
Let’s high-five Lizzy for her courage, her determination, and her success.