Good Morning Britain featured a guest today who restored viewers’ faith in human kindness and strength over adversity.
Lizzie Velasquez has suffered the most dreadful bullying online, because of her appearance, even being dubbed ‘the world’s ugliest woman by one tormentor’.
The vile troll posted an eight-second video on YouTube with the heartless branding – and disgraceful commentators told her to kill herself.
Despite the pleas of Lizzie, then just 17, and her family to take down the clip, the abuser refused.
Incredibly Lizzie, now 28, says she would like to meet this ‘person’ and give them a big hug – for setting her on her life path, which she sees as a blessing
“It was so hard, looking back on that time I probably blocked a lot of it out because I was so hurt and devastated,” she told the breakfast show.
“But if I found out who that person was I’d probably give them a big hug for giving me one of the biggest unknown blessings I could have ever asked for.
‘We’re all put on this Earth for a reason. I’ve realised we’re all put on this earth for a reason.
“Luckily I was able to take the path of positivity and turn my awful situation into something that was a lot nicer.”
What an incredible woman.
Lizzie now dedicates her professional life to motivational speaking, and spreading her positive message through videos and blogs.
Her TED talk has had over 58 million views (and is well worth a watch); she has also released a documentary and a book.
Naturally, viewers were bowled over by her incredible spirit – some were even reduced to tears…
Lizzie, who is 5’ 2″, has a rare genetic condition – Marfanoid–progeroid–lipodystrophy syndrome – that, among other symptoms, prevents her from gaining weight – she is just over four stone – and giving her an aged appearance.
Hosts Ben Shephard and Charlotte Hawkins described Lizzie as an inspiration. They’re not wrong.