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When Lizzie Velasquez was 17 years old she came across a YouTube video called ‘The World’s Ugliest Woman’ and since then her life changed.

Lizzie Velasquez arrives at the premiere of A Brave Heart- The Lizzie Velasquez Story at Paramount Theatre

She clicked on the video that was viewed four million times and saw herself. But it was not only the video that shocked her but also cruel comments about her appearance. Some of the bullies even asked her parents why did they kept her and suggested to “kill it with fire”.

But the inspiring 26-year-old fought back by becoming a motivational speaker and anti-bullying activist

Lizzie Velasquez arrives at the premiere of A Brave Heart- The Lizzie Velasquez Story at Paramount Theatre

“I was shocked. I cried for many nights – as a teenager I thought my life was over. I couldn’t bring myself to talk to anybody about it, I didn’t tell any of my friends, I was just so shocked that it had happened. Calling me a monster or asking why my parents didn’t abort me… how in the world can I forgive the people who told me to kill myself?”

Lizzie Velasquez (L) and director Sara Hirsh Bordo

The devastated girl spent days shutting herself from the world behind a wall of tears, thinking her life was over. But now 26, she is an inspiration for thousands of people who became victims of bullying and cyber-bullying. Now she is not a victim but a fighter, she is an anti-bullying activist. Her story will be the focus of a new film by the southwest festival in Austin, Texas, and in particular – how she overcame the cyberbullies and how she lives daily with her conditions.

Lizzie, born with a rare condition which prevents her from gaining weight

Ms Velasquez was born with Marfan syndrome and lipodystrophy, it means she struggles to maintain her weight and lacks energy, besides, she struggles with fighting off infections. At 1m 57cm tall, Lizzie only weighs 26kg and is blind in her right eye. But now she became stronger and does not let the bullies or her condition deter her from remaining positive.
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She launched a Youtube channel, which has 26,000 subscribers, to help others feel comfortable in their skin as well as showing the bullies that they are wrong. “This is what I’m meant to do for the rest of my life. I like to think that I’m not only telling my story, I’m telling everyone’s story.”