The so-called "World's Ugliest Woman", Lizzie Velásquez, hopes that her story and the suffering she has had to face throughout her life owing to a rare disease might help thousands of people who have also been victims of bullying around the world.
After in December 2013 the 25-year-old woman inspired millions of people with her TED Talk, she now wants her life experiences to help those who have been and are victims of harassment and attacks from their school, work colleagues or family; sending them a message of hope knowing that "there's a light at the end of the tunnel" in cases of bullying.
"I want people to see that, when it comes to bullying, there's a light at the end of the tunnel," said Velásquez. "I know very well what it feels like when they abuse you in person or online, and I want to protect those who believe things will not get better. The idea is for the to watch the documentary and realize that it's possible to overcome everything," she told The Associated Press.
During the interview in her native Austin, Texas, Lizzie spoke of her new project tentatively called "The Lizzie Project", which is comprised of a documentary financed by donations raised through KickStarter, with a goal of over $180,000 dollars and which in nine days raised $122,868, and has until May 31 to reach its goal.
"The Lizzie Project" is a documentary which will show how Lizzie dedicates her life to make a real difference and inspire others to support each other; according to Sara Bordo, who debuts as a director in the documentary.
Lizzie was born on March 13, 1989 in Austin, Texas, and is the oldest of three sisters (Rita and Guadalupe Velásquez). She was prematurely born a month early, with a weight of just 1.2 kg.
Velásquez suffers from a rare disease of which there are only two known cases, including this one. As a result of this strange syndrome, her body fat level is 0% and she weighs only 27 kg (61 lbs); she's not anorexic but she can't gain weight and needs to eat small amounts a few times a day. She's blind in her right eye and has limited vision in her left.
Lizzie has some progeroid physical characteristics, such as a pointed noise and aged skin. She also has additional problems besides her medical dignosis, but her condition is not terminal. Many medical researchers of the University of Texas Southeast Medical Center have researched her and have expressed that it could be a form of progeria neonatal syndrome which, at least, has not attacked her bones, her organs or her teeth. It's believed that her condition is not hereditary.
Watch the video of Lizzie's TEDxAustinWomen Talk
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