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Lizzie Velasquez, Labeled ‘World’s Ugliest Woman,’ Becomes Motivational Speaker (Video)
Opposing Views ^ | 01/09/2014 | By Doris Quintanilla

Posted on 01/10/2014 7:47:54 AM PST by Responsibility2nd

Being labeled the “World’s Ugliest Woman” has allowed 24-year-old Lizzie Velasquez to reach thousands with her message of redefining what is beautiful.

Velasquez once made headlines after being dubbed the “World’s Ugliest Woman” due to a rare syndrome, one that is so rare that there are only two other known people who suffer from it.

The Texas native suffers from Neonatal Progeroid Syndrome, a condition that causes accelerated aging and fat loss. The illness has prevented the 58-pound woman from gaining weight, despite eating about 60 small meals a day and has caused blindness in her right eye.

When Velasquez was in high school, she discovered an eight second video of herself on YouTube titled “World’s Ugliest Woman.” The video garnered millions of views and comments. Perhaps one of the most hurtful was one who told her to “put a gun to her head and kill herself,” according to IB Times. But this only motivated Velasquez to rise up against cyber bullying.

Years later, she has become an author and motivational speaker. At a TEDX talk in Austin, she shared her experiences with viewers and talked about deciding to turn the negativity into ambition.

“I’ve had a really difficult life, but that’s OK,” she said. “I’m going to let my goals and my success and my accomplishments define me, not my outer appearance.”

With that, Velasquez asks the crowds she talks to, “What defines you?”

“It’s not easy, I will be the first to tell you it’s not easy,” she said in interview with HLN, according to the Christian Post. “I may have this outer exterior of people saying, ‘She can handle everything, she’s dealt with this for so long,’ and to be honest, I’m human and of course these things are going to hurt,” she said.

Velasquez has appeared on multiple television programs and written three books, including, “Be Beautiful, Be You.”


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: beautifulwoman; lizzievelasquez; worldsugliest
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To: Responsibility2nd
I'd invite Lizzie Velasquez to dinner with my Family before most public & political women out there today...
41 posted on 01/10/2014 9:51:32 AM PST by NativeSon ( Grease the floor with Crisco when I dance the Disco)
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To: fr_freak

I agree. There are plenty of people, without diseases, who are uglier than this lady.


42 posted on 01/10/2014 10:04:35 AM PST by Nea Wood
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To: Yaelle
Ugly is inside therefore Michelle Obama she be awarded this title.
43 posted on 01/10/2014 10:05:56 AM PST by angcat
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To: Axenolith; skeeter

Not at all.

Skeeter’s just given me a giggle...:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nasJY2wSDB4


44 posted on 01/10/2014 10:45:18 AM PST by Salamander (Sleeping don't come very easy in a strait white vest.)
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To: Responsibility2nd; GeronL
When Velasquez was in high school, she discovered an eight second video of herself on YouTube titled “World’s Ugliest Woman.” The video garnered millions of views and comments. Perhaps one of the most hurtful was one who told her to “put a gun to her head and kill herself,” according to IB Times. But this only motivated Velasquez to rise up against cyber bullying.

I thought Youtube had a pollicy against this sort of thing. They certainly showed no restraint in deleting Michele Malkin's videos when they "offended" someone.

45 posted on 01/10/2014 11:23:24 AM PST by a fool in paradise ("Health care is too important to be left to the government.")
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To: skeeter; Revolting cat!; GeronL; Lazamataz
Just imagine what Nancy Pelosi would look like WITHOUT her plastic surgery.


46 posted on 01/10/2014 11:25:38 AM PST by a fool in paradise ("Health care is too important to be left to the government.")
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To: informavoracious

Cries of “guilty” are usually found in threads with mugshot photos for people who’ve already done bad things (”allegedly”).

Nothing this woman has done has invited scorn or rejection from the peanut gallery.


47 posted on 01/10/2014 11:32:42 AM PST by a fool in paradise ("Health care is too important to be left to the government.")
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To: a fool in paradise
She might live forever...


48 posted on 01/10/2014 11:42:31 AM PST by GeronL (Extra Large Cheesy Over-Stuffed Hobbit)
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To: dirtymac

Sadly in the jury box, vile attractive women are also often “not guilty,” and men, ugly or attractive, are often “guilty.” I think we see many cases where a woman gets nothing or a slap on the wrist for crimes that eould send a man away. That’s even worse sexism!


49 posted on 01/10/2014 12:14:10 PM PST by informavoracious (Root for Obamacare and healthcare.gov failure!)
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To: Army Air Corps

May cause premature death? I’d say at 60lbs or so that that is a high probability. It’s what she’s doing with her time that is inspiring. I hope she knows Jesus and is serving him.


50 posted on 01/10/2014 12:31:23 PM PST by Bulwyf
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To: informavoracious

Then why are so many ugly women elected to the house and senate?


51 posted on 01/10/2014 12:55:44 PM PST by beandog (All Aboard the Choo Choo Train to Crazy Town)
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To: beandog

Pretty women marry rich men?


52 posted on 01/10/2014 12:59:54 PM PST by informavoracious (Root for Obamacare and healthcare.gov failure!)
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To: Responsibility2nd; Lazamataz

sorry....it aint official until it come from the hit man


53 posted on 01/10/2014 1:03:35 PM PST by stylin19a (Obama -> Fredo smart)
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To: informavoracious

My point is if ugly women are so degraded and picked upon they wouldn’t be in such high office. People wouldn’t vote for them.


54 posted on 01/10/2014 1:06:46 PM PST by beandog (All Aboard the Choo Choo Train to Crazy Town)
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To: beandog

My point is maybe ugly women are all they had to pick from.


55 posted on 01/10/2014 1:08:44 PM PST by informavoracious (Root for Obamacare and healthcare.gov failure!)
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To: informavoracious

That’s certainly not the case in my state. Babs Mikulski is about as ugly as they come. Attractive people have run against her. They like her because she’s liberal and butt ugly. Lots of attractive women have run and not won. I think a lot of men talk a lot about attractive women but in reality they don’t trust them and would rather vote for a ugly woman.


56 posted on 01/10/2014 1:14:06 PM PST by beandog (All Aboard the Choo Choo Train to Crazy Town)
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To: IronJack
You forgot that far-left epitome of beauty....Democrat Cong. Rosa DeLauro.

She's so ugly her face could stop a sun dial.

(I'm a gal, so I can call 'em as I see 'em, LOL)

Leni

57 posted on 01/10/2014 1:19:53 PM PST by MinuteGal
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To: Responsibility2nd

She’s cool. I like her.


58 posted on 01/10/2014 2:06:27 PM PST by Lazamataz (Early 2009 to 7/21/2013 - RIP my little girl Cathy. You were the best cat ever. You will be missed.)
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To: liberalh8ter
I don't see ugly when I look at that picture.

I'm with you. Ugly is an attitude. Boxer, Pelosi, Hitler, Reid, Obama, Stalin, Soros, Feinstein.... those are UGLY people.

59 posted on 01/10/2014 2:10:12 PM PST by Lazamataz (Early 2009 to 7/21/2013 - RIP my little girl Cathy. You were the best cat ever. You will be missed.)
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To: Axenolith

I thought I would scroll through the rest of the thread before commenting the same thing. This person needs to check out Salamanders page. I SERIOUSLY would NOT want to mess with her!


60 posted on 01/10/2014 2:54:34 PM PST by Mama Shawna
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