Lizzie Velasquez was born with a very rare syndrome (only 2 other people in the world have it) that prevents her from producing or storing body fat. Recent exposure due to her aspirations to become a motivational speaker to teach others about her syndrome have come with horrible backlash. Hundreds of dreadful comments about the way she looks are what fill Lizzie’s computer screen everyday including one person dubbing her “The World’s Ugliest Woman”. Lizzie is anything but ugly, in fact, her spirit and personality make her the complete opposite. She is also my best friend.
Growing up with Lizzie was just like any other childhood; we played games, watched movies, went through many embarrassing phases, fought and made up, and the whole time, I never once thought of Lizzie as different. She has been through more ups and downs in her 23 years of life than anyone I know and has made the best of her condition by living life to the fullest and raising people’s spirits along the way.
When she was born at just 2 pounds, the doctors told her parents that she was not going to make it; her body was just not strong or developed enough to survive.
Now, Lizzie is a senior in college and is already the author of 2 books; “Lizzie Beautiful” and “Be Beautiful, Be You”. She has also been all over the country for speaking engagements. She has such strength when it comes to dealing with critics and obstacles in her life that she says stems from the help of faith, family and friends.
I am proud to call Lizzie one of my best friends and I know she will continue to endure and overcome her many obstacles, with much style and flare, I might add. Lizzie wants to inform people about her condition as well as help people to understand that life is truly what you make it.
We could use more people like Lizzie in this world.
Click through the gallery for more insight of Lizzie and her life.
To learn more, visit her website: www.aboutlizzie.com
What do you think of Lizzie’s bravery?
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guest
I have read about her before, and she is a hero(ine) to me. I think she’s amazing… as unique on the inside as the outside. You are so lucky to know her personally. I wish I did.
guest
She seems like an awesome person. She is definitely very courageous. I googled her name and some people are just plain cruel.
guest
I’ve only just started hearing about her story. And honestly, every person has his/her day of feeling low, but it surprised me that there was even such a “competition.” I’ve known some physically beautiful people, only to be ugly people inside.
guest
There will always be trolls! trolls for trolls for trolls for days. Good for her! I hope she never lets this stuff get her down. And I hope she realizes people will hate on anything – your looks, your religion, your language, your skin color, how much money you make, the car you drive bla bla bla- doesn’t matter!
orchid / 248 posts
What I don’t understand is people calling her the ugliest woman, she is not ugly to me, and I am not just saying that. Honestly looking at her I see some very attractive features,
guest
I wish we could learn who dubbed her that cruel title.
rose / 802 posts
I’ve been following Lizzie on Twitter since I looked her up after seeing a terrible, cruel Internet meme begin about her. I wondered who she was, what had caused her unusual physical appearance, & how she dealt with being called such awful names. I continue to be impressed & inspired by Lizzie’s positive attitude & her unwavering commitment to living a meaningful, impactful life. We could all be a bit more like Lizzie.
guest
If we are going to sink really low and go with her appearance I have actually seen much less attractive people. It’s your actions that make you and ugly or beautiful person, not your appearance.
sunflower / 300 posts
1) I remember seeing her on some show, I think…
2) She’s very well spoken.3) I would be willing to bet money anybody who’s insulting her has never written a book, let alone two. (They’re too busy being jerks.)
sunflower / 291 posts
This makes me think of the scene in The Help where the old nurse tells the main character that ugly is on the inside. But people are jerks, I am sure that this is not news to her. You just gotta do what you want and ignore the uglies.
guest
People are such jerks. The fact is is if she wasn’t becoming so famous for being so confident, they wouldn’t want to make fun of her. Her parents should be very proud. Most blonde hair, blue eyed, 36 24 36 women, will never have the amount of confidence she exhibits.
She puts in her tumblr
I was blessed with a very rare syndrome
guest
people make me so sad
orchid / 160 posts
What. I want to have 0 body fat. I would even call her lucky!
guest
She is pretty! She has beautiful hair, a pretty smile, a great rack, and she’s a snazzy dresser. Sure she has some flaws (just like every other person) but she has a condition which makes the flaws more noticiable, a very obvious reason. God made her like that and nothing is wrong with that. She inspires me with her courage. More ppl should be so brave.
guest
I swear I see a twinkle in her right eye, like her eye is saying “you’re gonna want to talk to me cuz I’m awesome.” Seriously I want to meet her because she sounds incredible!! She was definitely born to be a fighter, and I bet she could teach me a thing or two about self-confidence!!
guest
i feel so angry that people send her negative message especially commenting on how she looks. No amount of make up will hide an ugly heart.
guest
Wow. That’s very inspirational
On the side, I’m curious as to how people with that particular syndrome survive if their bodies can’t keep body fat! Will definitely keep an eye out for her books and such
guest
I think Lizzie is beautiful, far far far from ugly. The people who have called her names, put her down etc those are the ugly ones.
guest
Gorgeous hair! and she definately has bigger boobs than me, im sure many girls are jealous, and the ones that hate probably dont even have money or ambition to go to college. yeah my grammar is sucky right now but oh well, worry about yourself. yeay.
guest
How horrible people judge her because she looks different, but good for her for having the strength to turn the other way and to love and accept others for who they are when they clearly cannot do the same for her. Having looks that society deems beautiful really means nothing when they are mean, cruel and downright insensitive. Looks will fade, but you can’t learn how to have a great personality. However, one can change their attitude and outlook on life. I hope Lizzie continues to motivate and inspire people to be the best they can be, despite all the negative comments from inconsiderate people.
guest
she’s limited edition
one of the rare skinny people left as america gets fatter. I’m skinny and I can relate to her more than the average sized people.
orchid / 109 posts
Ugly ugly… I know people uglier than her ! And without being sick. Beauty is a general thing, She looks happy : she has a BIG smile ! How many people would make a such big smile while suffering from illness and bad comments ?
Be brave, stay strong and go on Liz !
guest
I don’t think she’s ugly. I just feel concerned for her health, really. But this also makes me think twice about jumping to the conclusion that somone has an eating disorder based on looks. I didn’t know anything like this existed.
guest
people are so damn cruel. i can’t believe she’s been flooded with hate comments? more reason as to why i dislike humans.
you go, lizzie. what an inspiration.
guest
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying someone is not physically beautiful AND wholeheartedly believing they have an amazing spirit and are an inspiration to girls around. Beauty can be both on the outside and inside, but it’s the inside that matters. That’s not being judgmental. It’s just…. calling the sky blue. It is a shame though when people get into name calling, and their hearts are not in the right place.
Do I think this woman is physically attractive? Nope! I will say however she has a sparkle in her eye. My heart goes out to Liz. And she is truly an inspiration. She faces many odds and yet look at the pure joy in her smile. That is indeed beautiful.
guest
She does have beautiful hair, whoever said that.
But whoever called your friend that name, I think they’ve got the crown for that.
guest
oh wow. i am speechless. i want to meet her. talk to her. i know i could learn a LOT from her.
guest
Beauty comes from within. I would honestly love to sit and talk with and hold her hand cause likely she has seen quite a bit and knows more about humanity than many other people would from their prejudicial treatment of her thus far.
guest
People have odd standards of beauty. She’s way prettier than me.
guest
What a truly beautiful and inspirational woman. She has a pure soul. <3 <3 <3
guest
Dear Lizzie, I sincerely hope you see this comment. I’d like for you to know how deeply you inspire me. I am amazed at the beauty of you. Spirit, soul , body and mind, everything that being you encompases. I am blessed to be alive in the same world in which you exist. Life consistently amazes me with the sorrow and pain it has the ability to inflict upon us,yet, you give me hope. You give me strength, and you give me faith, that one day we will be more than the sum of our parts. In any hour, or moment, when you find darkness may surround you, I hope you will remember that , that there are some, though few they may be, who will always lift you up in our hearts, and thoughts. You are never completely alone. Regardless of the ignorance this world is filled with, we see you for who and what you are….. A light which shines….. true beauty in the darkness.
guest
The people bashing her are just awful.
guest
That pisses me off, the person who called her the world’s ugliest person. She is not ugly! And I hate when people think that an image is all that matters. It’s like some people don’t care about what’s on the inside anymore. I think she is amazing for what she’s doing.
guest
People only say these cruel things because they’re lacking something in their life, whether it’s entertainment, attention, or everything else under the sun. It’s refreshing to see someone with control over their life and use any setbacks to educate and better the lives of others.
guest
@atl_luv@xanga - attention whoreeee.. :}
orchid / 126 posts
People can be terribly mean!
We need more positive people like Lizzie in this world!
guest
If you’re her best friend why are you calling her the worlds ugliest woman… what kind of best friend are you
guest
Of course she’s not ugly. When a person is beautiful from the inside, they radiate like rainbows that makes us thankful we are alive and inspires us to become better humans. What is obviously ugly are the people who insult her just cause they can’t get away from their own insecurities. Honestly, at most, the physical self can only last for at least 80 to a hundred years. The heart that can withstand obstacles and free themselves from the society’s standards is what allows a person to continue living beyond the limit. They can inspire people for generations to come.
guest
@iKEEPiTCLEAN@xanga - That’s the first thing I thought as well! She has gorgeous hair.
peony / 1 posts
@DrummingMediocrity@xanga - @Trueinnerbeauty - My thoughts exactly, seeing the taboo special I got online to see the negative crap about her and I believe those downing her are the most ugly and i would much reather be friends with Lizi than any of them. Makes me really mad to see those who are different being picked on. They have enough going on in their lives w/o needing the extra from those I believe are ugly insecure jerks. They must not like what they see in the mirror so they make fun of others to draw attention away from their own ugliness!!!