Lizzie Velásquez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lizzie Velasquez
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Velásquez at the 2017 Texas Book Festival
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Elizabeth Ann Velásquez
March 13, 1989 Austin, Texas, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Texas State University |
| Occupation | Motivational speaker |
| Known for | Public speaking, anti-bullying activism, public appearances, and book authorship |
| Parent(s) | Rita Borja Velásquez Guadalupe Fonsi Velásquez |
Elizabeth Anne Velásquez, born on March 13, 1989, is an American motivational speaker, activist, writer, and YouTuber. She was born with a very rare genetic condition. This condition, called Marfanoid–progeroid–lipodystrophy syndrome, means her body cannot store body fat or gain weight.
Because of her condition, Lizzie faced a lot of bullying when she was growing up. When she was a teenager, she experienced cyberbullying online. This difficult experience inspired her to become a motivational speaker. She now helps others by sharing her story and encouraging kindness.
Lizzie's Early Life
Lizzie Velásquez was born in Austin, Texas. She is the oldest of three children. She was born about four weeks early and weighed less than 3 pounds (1.2 kilograms).
Lizzie went to Texas State University. She studied communication there. She is also a Roman Catholic. She has said that her faith has been a strong support for her throughout her life.
About Lizzie's Condition
Lizzie Velásquez has an extremely rare genetic disorder. It is not a life-threatening condition. Her condition is similar to other rare disorders, like progeria. Doctors have studied her condition to understand it better.
A main feature of Lizzie's condition is that she cannot gain weight. She has never weighed more than 64 pounds (29 kilograms). She also has almost no body fat. To stay healthy, she needs to eat many small meals and snacks every day. She eats between 5,000 and 8,000 calories daily. Lizzie is also blind in her right eye. Her left eye has limited vision.
Around 2015, scientists discovered that Lizzie's condition is caused by a change in a specific gene. This gene is called FBN1. This change affects a hormone in her body. Her condition is officially known as Marfanoid-progeroid-lipodystrophy syndrome.
Lizzie's Career and Activism
In 2006, when Lizzie was 17, someone posted a video of her online. They called her the "World's Ugliest Woman." This hurtful experience made Lizzie decide to speak out against bullying.
In 2014, she gave a TEDxAustinWomen Talk. It was called "How Do YOU Define Yourself." Her YouTube videos have been watched over 54 million times. Lizzie is known for her positive attitude. In 2015, she led a social media challenge for Bystander Revolution. This was part of National Bullying Prevention Month.
Lizzie has also written several books. Her first book, Lizzie Beautiful: The Lizzie Velásquez Story, was published in 2010. She wrote it with her mother, Rita. The book includes letters her mother wrote to her when she was a child.
She has also written books for kids. These books share her personal stories and offer advice.
- Be Beautiful, Be You (2012) teaches readers to find what makes them beautiful. It helps them recognize their unique gifts.
- Choosing Happiness (2014) talks about challenges Lizzie has faced. It shows how she learned to choose happiness even when things were tough.
- Dare to be Kind (2017) focuses on how important it is to be kind. It shares her experiences with bullying, both in person and online.
A documentary film about Lizzie's life was released in 2015. It is called A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velásquez Story. The movie was shown at SXSW and later on the Lifetime TV channel.
Since April 2017, Lizzie has also starred in her own online series. It is called Unzipped on Fullscreen.
See also
In Spanish: Lizzie Velásquez para niños
- Hayley Okines — An English girl who had progeria. She was featured in TV specials.
- Sam Berns — An American boy with progeria. His parents started the Progeria Research Foundation.
