‘World’s Ugliest Woman’ Who Got Nearly 5 Million YouTube Hits Shares Her Story
- Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:30pm by
Erica Ritz
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(Photo: Twitpic.com)
She made her national debut on Maury in 2009, and a YouTube clip grabbed from the show titled “Most Ugly Woman in the World” has garnered almost 5 million hits.
It probably doesn’t help that CBS, the New York Daily News, the Telegraph, and even the German Der Spiegel all equally sensationalized her as “the girl who must eat every 15 minutes to survive” or “doctors baffled by world’s thinnest woman.”
At 23, doctors think Lizzie Velasquez has a form of the rare neonatal progeroid syndrome, which accelerates her aging and makes it almost impossible to gain weight. Blind in one eye, indeed, she does have to eat between 5,000 and 8,000 calories a day, and has never been more than 62 pounds, according to reports.
And born at just 2lbs and 10 oz, doctors say it’s a miracle she even survived. According to her mother, the doctors also warned it was possible that Velasquez would never walk, would never be able to eat on her own, and even encouraged the mother to reconsider having any more children. But, to everyone’s astonishment, Velasquez grew, healthy brothers and sisters were born, and her parents never treated her any differently than the others.
But she realized how different she was when she entered school. She recalled: “I was called skinny bones, that was a really big one…grandma, because a lot of people told me I looked really old. Um, pork chop legs?”
Someone emailed her: “Hi Lizzie, I was just looking at your picture and you are very ugly. How are you a cheerleader?”
But rather than let the criticism define or break her, Velasquez has interpreted the insults as a challenge.
“In the battle between the World’s Ugliest Woman video vs. me … I think I won,” she said.
Watch her story, below:
Velasquez will soon graduate from college, and she plans to become a motivational speaker. Moreover, she has a book coming out in October.
Lizzie as a child
“When people say…‘you should die’ and ‘I hope you don’t spread your genes everywhere,’” her friend explained, “it’s just like, ‘Oh my God! There’s like, it’s just…ugh! You know?”
“What makes me the most mad is when adults do it. When little kids do it, it’s ok, because they‘re little kids they don’t know better…they don’t have a filter…but if it’s an adult, they really should know better,” Velasquez said, as her only complaint.
“My faith, my family, and my friends are the three things that have gotten me where I am today, and have definitely been a huge part in my turning point in making me realize that I need to be positive about this,” she explained.
“They told me not to expect anything,” her mother recalled, “and she’s doing everything.”
“I would never change it,” she said, “because all the opportunities, all the lives I’m being able to touch right now, I don‘t feel like I’d be able to do that, if I didn’t look the way I did.”
While nine times out of ten bullying stories are merely inflamed instances of over-sensitivity, it‘s a fair possibility that once millions have people have determined you’re the “ugliest person in the world,” you have legitimate grounds for complaint. But she refuses to– and that’s what makes her beautiful.
(H/T: The Stir)
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Comments (228)
cookcountypatriot
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:12pmshe has a beautifull spirit..i pray she beats that illness…unlike progressives like pelosi and dingbat whatshernameshultz..who are ugly to the bone
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:23pmFor sure. She will not always be stuck in that body. Her soul will be beautiful.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:39pmAgreed. Beautiful young lady.
Report Post »1947
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:52pmLizzie could help is WORLD
Report Post »Marci
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:24pmI wonder what kind of person would send her messages like that? Oh yes—I forgot, Bill Maher. This woman is beautiful through and through and God bless her for standing up and speaking out anyway. Looks like she is surrounded by loving family and friends.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:01pmAnyone who has made an ugly comment, gesture or even internally wished her ill is truly ugly. Her appearance does not bother me in the least bit. She is a human being who has had some serious life challenges that most of us could not even fathom. I wish her the best and God has already blessed her richly from the comments I see here on the Blaze.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 11:07pmYOU GO Gril!!!!
Report Post »B_rad
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 11:21pmShe may not be attractive, but she is absolutely beautiful. Mother Theresa was not an attractive lady either, but what she did with her life was gorgeous. I have a tendency to see one’s character overlay their physical appearance. For instance, I do not understand anyone’s fascination with Paris Hilton. To me, she is very unattractive. This woman though; absolutely beautiful. God bless her.
Report Post »Joseph2
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 7:43amI think she’s hot.
Report Post »yancie
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:14amExactly and AMEN!
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 11:46amWhat a sad society we live in where empty wh*res like Kim K. are considered beautiful and someone with such a beautiful spirit is considered the ugliest woman. It says all we need to know about the society that is being created. EMPTY GREEDY SPIRITLESS ARROGANT NARCISIST
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:14pmThis one young boy was brought to the wise old man and was asked to bring a gift in advance. He did not know what to bring so when he met the wise old man he asked what gift he wanted. “Bring me the ugliest thing in the world” the wise old man asked.
Report Post »So the boy set out to find the ugliest thing in the world. He didn’t know of anything that ugly in the village so he walked down the dirt road leading out of the village. As he walked past the fields of grains and vegetables he saw a snake. “Ah ha, he said, all the women in his village hate snakes and the men kill them to make the woman happy.” So he caught the snake, put it in his bag and headed back, happy that he had succeeded. After a while he heard a voice, “I… I’m the ugliest thing in the world? I eat the mice that damage your crops. How can I be the ugliest thing in the world?” The boy thought about it for a while and let the snake go. He turned around and headed down the dirt road away from the village again.
The-Monk
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:15pmLater he saw a Crow. “Ah ha, he said, everyone hates Crows.” In the village all the houses have flat roofs with ladders leading up to the top so that the people can put their grain on the roof to dry in the sun. So the boy caught the Crow, put it in his bag and once again headed back to the village. As he walked, happy that he had finally found something that the wise old man would accept, he heard the voice again. “I… I’m the ugliest thing in the world? When I see all the grain on your roof I call all my friends so we all can share in the feast. Do you call all your friends when you find food and share it with everyone?” Well, the boy thought about it and let the Crow go. He turned around and headed down the dirt road away from the village again.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:15pmIt’s getting late now and the boy is very tired. As he walked down the road he saw some Human dung in a ditch. There are no bathrooms around and it’s a common site to see that people have defecated next to the road in a ditch.” Ah ha, he said with joy! This is it! No one can say that this is not the ugliest thing in the world.” So he got a banana leaf, wrapped up the dung and put it in his bag. As he walked back to the village he thought about the voice. “I hope I don’t hear that voice again!” After a long while and almost back to the village he hears it again. “I… I’m the ugliest thing in the world? I was cauliflower, I nourished someone’s body. How could I be the ugliest thing in the world?” He thinks about it and puts the dung back in the ditch.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:15pmWell, at this point the boy is exhausted, the village is near and it’s getting dark. So he goes back to the wise old man… empty handed and distraught. The wise old man sees his empty hands and knows that the boy will not be influenced by his own conclusions. This was the gift and the boy became the student.
Report Post »LogCabinRepublican
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:24pmAMAZING young women!! :)
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:43pmI’M VERY SORRY BUT, THE BLAZE STAFF REFUSES TO POST THE 1ST PARAGRAPH TO THE STORY.
I’ll try it a different way.
1- “A long time ago, in a village far away… “
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:46pm2- “Children were allowed to be children; to play, no responsibilities, no school, until about eight years old. Then the parents would take the child to the wise old man who sat under a tree.”
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 2:12pm3- “The wise old man’s job was to find out what was intrinsic to each child so they would take the right path in their Life and not just the path the parents thought was right.”
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 3:22pm4a- “In some c i r c u m s t a n c e s…”
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 3:26pm4b- “…the child would be asked to bring a gift and if the gift was accepted the child would become the student.
That should do it for the 1st paragraph. Now you can read the story. My apologies.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 3:40pmIf you look at the time stamps you’ll see it took from 1:15 to 3:22 to figure out that the word “c i r c u m s t a n c e s” is not allowed. Go figure???
Report Post »MadinIllinois
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 4:14pmDitto – she’s not ugly at all…a beautiful soul!
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 4:53pmThis is so sad. If only she had parents who could afford to fix her teeth and do a little cosmetic medicine. Its not too late. Maybe one of the people who won Mega lotteries could help her. Who could ever hold a Ugly contest, that is so immoral and cruel.
Report Post »hawkeyez
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 6:31pmThas Wasamanshultz
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:00pmI do not know who said she is ugly but that person is very shallow her beauty comes from within and she is lovely. May the Lord be at your side every day of your life .
Report Post »Rollo2
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:12pmAwesome spirit!
Report Post »We love you just as you are!
daxawyes
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 4:39pmLizzie has her reward for being such a strong loving person, but those who ridicule her will lose theirs if they don’t repent.
Report Post »randy
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:12pmWhat a beautiful woman, inside and out!
Report Post »bage66
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:42pmRandy, well said, and great photo op you’ve chosen for yourself.
Blackyb, couldn’t have said it any better.
I couldn’t be prouder to stand with all of you in support of this woman and
Report Post »her challenges.
GeorgieJo
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:45pmAMEN
Report Post »God Bless YOU Lizzie!!!!
Lois150
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:12pmWow Lizzy! What an inspirational woman you are! So brave in such a cruel world. You not only have the courage to accept who you are but you are also brave in your willingness to share your struggles. I have a feeling that your attitude will cause you to be very successful in life. You absolutely radiate with beauty and kindness. This world could use more people like you!
Report Post »hcerrito134
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:59pmWell said.God bless lizzie and her family.
Report Post »ReddirtOkie
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:14pmAs I sit here with tears in my eyes, I am reminded that “God don’t make no junk” You were put here for a reason and you have the strength of your faith and the love of others to put it to His purposes. You amaze me. God Bless
Report Post »kssturgis62
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:03pmI sit here and read the comments on this, and This Woman – Who lives is not as ugly as Nancy Pelosi, and no one here has dated worse. to compare her to that, or to state that she is anything like other people is appalling. Why is it Adults can’t just be Adults? IT goes to show that even here, people were not raised to have respect for others.
I look at her and she is beautiful. She is prettier than I will ever be, because for one my fears held me down in my life, and i don’t have one single thing wrong with me. i am very blessed to be healthy. But this Woman got up everyday, and she faced challenges I will never understand, and for that I applaud her. I applaud her for getting a college Degree, when I struggle to get through math and therefore I don’t have mine. I gave up. I applaud her for not being Politically Correct, and over sensitive, and not complaining. I applaud her mother for keeping her, for loving her, for protecting her, because I have seen parents treat their “Perfect” children like Trash. I have seen Parents throw their “ugly” children away in homes.
Our Lord created her, Our Lord loves her so much, and Our Lord proves by this Beautiful Creature being on this earth, that many need her, because they need to be taught Compassion, how to care, and maybe just how to be sensitive to those around them.
I have no right to complain about anything. May our Lord continue to bless her, and I will be keeping you in my Prayers Lizzie. Wow what a Great Suc
Report Post »charles116
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:56pmYer purdy ugly yourself and kinda dim-witted.
Report Post »Boehner can’t hold a candle to Pelosi.
Johnny is the worst ineffectual Speaker in the house’s history.
ChiefGeorge
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:13pmWell said sister but no need to beat yourself up!
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 2:07amCHARLES116 did your Mom keep you even though you are brain dead?
Report Post »LastAmerican
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:04amIf boehner did hold a candle next to pelosi, she would melt with all that plastic. So I see your point.
Report Post »LibsAndCopKillersALoveStory
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 11:59amWell said kss. No one could have said it better. I identify with your story: here we are, healthy and ‘normal looking’ and yet, we give up and complain.
Report Post »Well, it’s never too late to begin. We have a great role model in this gal.
Anadara
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:03pmDang. I’m speechless.
Report Post »PresidentDowngrade
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:20pmwhy would the beckbots title this ugliest woman? Its not what the you tube video is titled. I read this website less and less.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:34pmPRESIDENTDOWNGRADE
That was the title of the “Maury” show that featured this fine lady. Perhaps a brush up on critical reading is in order?
Report Post »Jase
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 11:37pmI’m speechless too, I can‘t believe she beat Rosie O’Donnell and Whoopie Goldberg.
Report Post »cosette
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:01pm@ JASE…. The 2 “females” you mentioned look like Victoria Secret models compared to Francis Fox Piven., who BTW, has my vote for ugliest.
Report Post »Lisabo
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:02pmShe is a beautiful child of God and may he always bless her!
Report Post »Texas Chris
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 11:20amFirst time I’ve ever agreed with Time_2.
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:01pmShe is a beautiful daughter of God. She is thus royalty and should be treated as such.
It breaks my heart to imagine if my daughters were taunted as this young lady has been; I imagine it equally breaks the heart of our Heavenly Father to see such cruelty towards one of his daughters.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:18pmDitto.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:53pmI’m with you. True beauty is inside, and she shines.She is a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father, and her trials on this earth will not last forever. Do us all good to remember this is not the last stop in our journey, and she will probably be in a better “hotel” down the road than many who make ugly, nasty comment abou others.
Report Post »cous1933
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 11:37pmBeautiful post P8triot. You and I may not see eye to eye on some political issues but I’m right with you on this.
Report Post »midcoastmainepatriot
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 1:48pmP8RIOT……Right on the money,sir….well said…..I would bust the head of anybody that would make her feel bad,if it happened in front of me
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:59pmstrong spirit
determination
faces trial and tribulation head on
i know a lot of people with worse scores , and they also have
dishonest
conniving
shallow
unfaithful
ignorant ( willfully)
so, if it was between her
and pelosi
i would pick her EVERY TIME
Report Post »LeadMetalGuitarist
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:57pmScrew those people that say she is ugly, they are so Wrong! She is gorgeous! Cuz even the most amazing woman in the world can be hideous! Its all about who you are, not what you look like!
Lizzy, you are an amazing young woman and you are absolutely stunning! Your gorgeous, dont ever change that!
Report Post »trueamerican40
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:57pmShe can’t help it; inside she is a gem. Hillary the dog and Pelosi the pickled frog are much fuglier.
Report Post »BloodSweatandTears
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:57pmI see her as beautiful. Her great courage speaks to my heart and it sings. For anyone to be unkind to her breaks my heart. When I see her in heaven one- day, hope she will be a friend to me.
Report Post »Conservative New Yorker
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:55pmGo Lizzie! Your inner beauty (kindness, love and confidence) shines through. God Bless you for following your purpose and mission in life and all the lives you reach and touch…
Report Post »Paul
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:55pmGod Bless You Sweetheart…
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:52pmToo bad people have to be so mean, so it makes you think who is the really ugly one.
I would just tell them I don’t have to worry about accidents, but them on the other hand.
Report Post »piper60
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:52pmIf it doesn’t kill you, chances are, it’ll make you stronger. God has a purpose for her life, clearly.
Report Post »FromSeaToSea
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:52pmGod Bless………You are an inspiration to everyone……A special song for you…….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx_4zeb8trs&feature=related
Report Post »Anonymouse.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:28pmAnd here is another special song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh4RzSfHdAc&feature=youtu.be
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:51pmJust when you think you have too many hurdles in your own life.
Report Post »Good luck to you Lizzie.
Gary_K
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:48pmI think Nancy Piglosi is uglier.
Report Post »oyster0302
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:58pmDitto
Report Post »cielorojo
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 4:36amBig time! Pelosi is ugly and evil.
Report Post »Texas Chris
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 11:22amRemember, ugliest WOMAN…
Not sure Nancy applies.
Report Post »LONGSEXYLEGS
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:46pmMay God bless and keep her strong
Report Post »hudstim
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:46pmLooks like Pelosi to me…
Report Post »disenlightened
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:45pmMotivational speaker? I don’t think so…but if George Romero is watching, she’s got a modest career in film to be had.
Report Post »yippeya
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:31pmyour name says it all.
Report Post »LibsAndCopKillersALoveStory
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:28pmJerk.
Report Post »disenlightened
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:40pmI live in Realville, where no one’s home is underwater.
Report Post »SaintzOfAk
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:56pmTell me, what was it like the day you realized that your LITERALLY! not worth the air you exchange within your rotten lungs?…just curious, cuz your mouth always seems to mimic a hot pile of scat everytime you open it on this site.
Report Post »disenlightened
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 7:28amSAINTZOFAK – Coming from somebody who recently wrote these sweet comments, I feel good:
“Never trust old white pot bellied Pigs with Hair Helmets. Seriously though, these completely inept turds are poster children for a campaign to bring back Lobotomies. I think I’ll cruise the neighborhood tonight with a railroad spike and a brass hammer, in search of “Barf-esque” <–(Reference to BARF in the movie Space Balls) hairstyles."
"Jhay..just the kind of Neanderthal response we’d expect from a knuckledragger like you…go stick your head in a blender."
Trash is highly visible in glass houses.
Report Post »CounterStrike
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:44pmReal beauty is found on the inside.
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:42pmIv’e seen worse.
Report Post »bigdog71360
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:22pmMust have been a democrat woman…this girl is a lovely lady compared to those hacks!
Report Post »LeeR47
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:41pmStories like these show us what true strength and dignity really are. I’m impressed by this young lady. Instead of hiding away and being bitter, she’s out living her life. Good for her!
Report Post »cowpill
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:41pmI have dated worse.
Report Post »