Lizzie Velasquez has to eat every 15 minutes or she will die.
At 23 years old, Lizzie Velasquez who suffers from a rare condition since birth that has ravaged her looks and health has had to bear unrelenting name calling and abuse at the hands of cyber bullies. But she hopes that a new book that she is planning on releasing will help address the misconception of her disease which she shares with only two other people in the whole world.
Born without adipose which helps individuals procure fat Ms Velasquez bears the unfortunate predicament of having no body fat which is vital for body sustenance and only weighing in at 58 pounds, this despite being mandated to eat up to 60 small meals a day.
Her book titled, ‘Be Beautiful,Be You,’ shares advice on being unique, how to make and keep good friends and how to deal with bullying and negativity something unfortunately that Ms Velasquez has had to learn how to deal with.
Featured as a guest on the Dr Drew Pinsky show acknowledges that when cyber bullies first started attacking her online it was hard.
‘I’m human… of course these things are going to hurt… (but) I’m not going to let those things define me.’
‘At the end of the day, these are just words,’ Miss Velasquez told Dr Drew. ‘If they are so proud, then they should show their face.’
Then there was this hilarious reflection when asked with how she relates to being stared all the time:
‘I’m starting to want to go up to these people and introduce myself or give them my card and say, “Hi, I’m Lizzie – maybe you should stop staring and start learning”.’
But in case you think Ms Velasquez is sitting there pitying herself wishing she looked like a Hollywood celebrity for instance she offers the following:
I feel I’m really glad I don’t look like the celebrities out there who are beautiful, because there are a lot of stereotypes attached to that.
‘People think “she’s so pretty, she must be really dumb”. Since I don’t look like that it’s better because people can get to know the real me.’
And for those curious to learn more about Ms Velasquez’s condition there is this via the dailymail:
Professor Garg and his team now believe Miss Velasquez may have a form of Neonatal Progeroid Syndrome (NPS), which causes accelerated ageing, fat loss from the face and body, and tissue degeneration. People with PRS often have triangular and prematurely aged faces with a pointy nose.
He said: ‘I am aware of a small number of people that have similar conditions to Lizzie but each case is slightly different.
‘We cannot predict what will happen to Lizzie in the future, as the medical community are yet to document older people with NPS.
‘However Lizzie is lucky to have healthy teeth, organs and bones so the outlook is good. We will continue to study her case and learn from her.’
Miss Velasquez doesn’t take medication but she relies on vitamin supplements and iron to stay healthy. It is thought she should be able to conceive naturally without passing the condition to her children.
Her new book is out on September 13.
All of which posits the ultimate question why is society so incessant on punishing an individual who through no fault of their own does not approximate ideal beauty standards? Are we to really believe falling short of such standards is an indictment on such individuals, or perhaps as one senses an indictment on society that relies on pre conceived notions in order to absorb and mask their own short fallings…?
But perhaps the comment that best sums this author’s own feelings (yes I too was bullied as a young child for being different in my own way) about Ms Velasquez’s journey is the following:
What a great inspiration she is. I wish that all the kids wo are bullied would realize what she has, that it is the BULLY that has the problem and not the one being bullied. If someone treats you horrbly then they aren’t worth it, forget it and know that you are a good person then move on. People who are your friends and care about you don’t make fun of you.
Ann is mostly just ugly on the inside….
it wasn’t just a title on Scribol. Look at the web address. The owner of this site should be tied to a breaking wheel.
The writer did not miss-speak. They purposely trashed this woman to get more traffic to their website. That traffic probably resulted in an extra dollar or two in advertising revenue.
So this woman will suffer horrific embarrassment and humilation so this chump will have enough money to buy a hamburger with.
Such a person deserves to be beaten to the ground with a baseball bat. And the two bucks he made donated back to this poor woman (who looks sweet and beautiful to me.)
Obviously you are nothing more than a progressive hack with a shriveled penis. Ann Coulter – and probably a majority of the women out there – wouldn’t give your fat arse a first look, let alone a second look.
Not even close to the “Ugliest.” Whoever wrote this misspoke or has not lived long..
Hey Scallywag, you’re a douche bag for doing a story on this poor person. You don’t care who you hurt as long as your name gets credit. I’d beat the shit out of you if you were man enough to stand up in person. This person needs to be left alone, not ridiculed by some headline hungry scum bag.
I don’t agree with this title,either this writer is an idiot,and who over saw this to give the go ahead to print it is an idiot also a company of idiots,this girl is beautiful…..
She doesn’t look ugly to me, she looks like someone with a disease. Can we not use the word ugly to describe people who are dealt an unfair hand?
you might be even an uglier woman, actually.
I’ve lived long enough know that ugly is on the inside not outside.
I think that you would be in the running also, hater.
the world’s ugliest woman is Ann Coulter.
Lizzie you are beautiful from the inside to the outside. I want to be your friend………
Oh my…….This is such an improper and immoral title to a serious subject…..I didn’t even see the writer of this article and I find him “ugly”…….I think he should be ashamed of himself……
BTW…..She isn’t what the title suggests at all…..not by a long shot…..I wish her love
at first i shared this but then just deleted it out of protest for your rude title. way to practice what you preach. NOT.
JERKS
She has already made fools of most of us. This is a beautiful woman.
I’m with Chris…why refer to her as the ugliest woman? You, are part of the problem and should have more sense. Guess that might be asking too much tho. Disgusting behavior and beyond ignorance.
Exactly Chris! How dare this author and website name Ms Velasquez “World’s Ugliest Woman”. It is false and certainly bullying. Disgusted!
People react badly to those who look different through a process known as the “Uncanny Valley”. I’ll attach the link to the Wikipedia article at the end of this. Basically, take a line with end points of “totally human/normal” on one end and “not at all human” on the other (like an industrial robot). As someone’s appearance moves down from “totally human/normal” towards “not at all human”, there is a dip in the comfort level of viewing subjects. This dip – or “valley” – causes revulsion in those viewing the almost-but-not-quite-human person. It’s sad that many people will view Lizzie this way, but it’s something anyone can get over. Being aware of this will help you any time you face a person with a disability, scarring, or other disfigurement or condition that changes their appearance.
Best of luck, Lizzie. It looks like you’re doing just fine!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley
The only ugly thing here is the title of the post.I know the author is using the term in the sense that is what some others may say (dumbasses would say in other words),but still it’s a bad choice.Good luck to her she’s cool.
God Bless her for being so strong! In a messed-up country like ours that has such screwed up priorities that places so much emphasis on external appearance and everything else that is so worthless and superficial, she is truly an inspiration!! I wish I had half the strength she does!! Anyone that could possibly level callous remarks at her, either online or off, for a medical condition that most people would find devastating and wouldn’t be able to cope with half as well as she does, not to mention that she was BORN with and had NO control over, are truly pieces of human waste and filth and hopefully will kill themselves, for they do not deserve to live and keep breathing up all the rest of our good oxygen! Do you hear, SICK HATER FILTH!?! You types MAKE ME SICK! The sooner you ALL are dead and buried THE BETTER!!!!
But back to Lizzie because that is what is important here….
Lizzie, I wish you EVER happiness in the world, and I will continue to pray that science finds a cure, or at least a good treatment for this disease, in your lifetime, and hopefully very soon!! I can only IMAGINE how difficult it must be to live with such a practically unknown condition!
You are truly an inspiration for us all and show us all what true courage is!! And make no mistake, you certainly ARE beautiful, inside and OUT!! God bless you and your lovely family, I wish you all only happiness and joy in all of your futures!! XOXO!
The teaser title on scribol “world’s ugliest woman” certainly speaks to the level of maturity of the employees there.
she’s not ugly at all. i dont know who came up with that. but they need to check their eyes. you are beautiful and u have a beautiful family.
Hi Lizzie,again I write to say Hi,And how beautiful you are and I would say that I upset cause when I check out your video and sharing with my family or friend I saw the the horrible title of your videos saying the Ugliest woman in the world???really they should erase the insane title and change the title like the Angel speaks against the cruel bullies..or something more you !!The Angel voice…etc…..hope this message make sense (publishers..must change that !!!, love yu xoxo
You are the most beautiful woman I ever seen,You are so brilliant and strong ,Your “haters” must like you now …,,and maybe you need new haters ,cause you gonna be the most popular and famous Angel ‘voice for this world. :)) .Also, I would like to share one famous quotes for your “haters”
Try not take things Personally; what people say about you is a reflection of them, not you..”
You are an example for this new society,,we should stop staring at the mirror and think that we are enough presentable to live normally this life no matter what…I love you <3
Your new fan! xoxo
It’s strange she has no fat anywhere but she has pretty big boobs.
So in the video, she talks about cyber bullies, being called names and how it hurts.. So why would you title this “World’s Ugliest Woman…” Don’t be another cyber bully!
lizzie
you have the most beautiful voice and seem so fun!
congratulations on your success
keep rocking through your life!!!
cheers to you!