Blinding Beauty: Beyond Skin and Bones!

Recently I came upon an article about an incredible woman by the name of Lizzie Velasquez. When I read her story, I was so inspired, I felt compelled to write about it, especially since I’ve been dedicating so much of my time discussing self-confidence and its importance, regardless of appearance.

Lizzie was born in 1989, four weeks early, and weighing in at 2 lbs., 11 oz. She was diagnosed with a condition so rare, only two other people are known to have it. Her condition is very similar to Progeria, a rare, genetic disorder, resembling aspects of aging. Lizzie’s condition may be a form of Neonatal Progeroid Syndrome (“Skinny Bones” syndrome). Thankfully, it isn’t terminal.

Lizzie has 0% body fat and has never weighed more than 62 lbs. no matter how much she eats (which is typically over 5,000 calories per day). She is blind in her right eye, and suffers from a very weak immune system. Most people in Lizzie’s circumstances would have folded under the scrutiny, the bullying, the stares, and everything else that comes with looking so different. But not Lizzie!

Her turning point came when she watched a YouTube video of herself in which she was ridiculed, told to kill herself, and labeled as the “ugliest woman in the world.” She had two options, let the viewer’s views define her, or be happy. She chose to be happy. The cruel and vicious video served to fuel her fire. She decided to become a motivational speaker, and is the author of: Lizzie Beautiful (2010), Be Beautiful, Be You (2012), and Choosing Happiness (2014).

In her books, she reaches out to people, tells them that appearance doesn’t matter and that one should love oneself for who one is. How right she is!

Lizzie is amazing. She doesn’t let anyone define who she is. In fact, when she hears something bad about herself, she uses it as fuel to be an even more amazing woman and to accomplish more goals.

In a TED talk, she says, “The best revenge is with your accomplishments, so yes, I won.”