Lizzie Velasquez is an Austin, Texas girl who must eat every 15 minutes to stay alive. Her photo would give the impression that she is anorexic, but she’s not. In fact, her medical condition is a mystery. She is unable to gain weight or store fat in her body.
Lizzie Velasquez, 21-years-old, stands 4 foot 2 inches tall and weighs just 60-pounds. She wears a size triple zero clothes even though she eats between 5,000 and 8,000 calories every day. Her body does not store fat so she has to eat that much, at least every 15 minutes, just to stay alive and healthy. She says she weights herself constantly and is ecstatic if she’s gained even a fraction of a pound.
When she was born she weighted just 2 pounds, 10 ounces and had very little amniotic fluid protecting her in her mother’s womb. Her skin was translucent and her parents, Guadeloupe and Rita Velasquez had to dress her in doll clothes. Her mother said that doctors had no idea how she survived. She has been part of genetic studies and fascinated scientists throughout her life.
Her parents say that they made every effort to raise her as normally as possible. She has participated in school activities, including cheerleading. She is currently in college and plans to become a motivational speaker. And she has quite a story to tell and IS motivational!
Over the years Rita Velasquez has carefully documented her daughter’s health and experiences. Her numerous notebooks are being made into a book that will be available for purchase in September 2010.
Her weight isn’t her only problem. She is blind in one eye and has limited vision in the other. According to doctors, she probably has neonatal progeroid syndrome, a rare condition that causes accelerated aging and an inability to store fat. Abihimanya Garg, MD has said that the medical community has not been able to document older people with NPS and therefore are unable to predict what will happen to Lizzie in the long-run. He said there are a very small number of people with similar conditions.
In spite of her condition and her uncertain prognosis, Lizzie Velasquez the Austin, Texas girl who must eat every 15 minutes is an inspiration as evidenced in the video about her.
You can read more about Lizzie and see photos of her at her website. Hear Lizzie Velasquez in her video below.
I feel so bad for this girl I hope she can get the help she needs
I don’t feel bad for her because she’s obviously got a handle on how to live life. Good for her!
Great story. I admire this girl.
its amazing how someone with those kinds of problems can have such a good attitude.
I THINK GOD MADE US ALL IN HIS IMAGE..SHE IS A STRONG BEAUTIFUL GIRL SENDING AS MESSAGE….WE ALL SHOULD BE LISTENING…THANKS LIZZY
You are an inspiration to all. I admire and I will pray for you. We at times take life for granted. Thanks for making me realize to be thankful.
She is truly one of the most beautiful people I have ever seen. Her beauty emanates from her inner self.
i hope she makes it as a motivational speaker. she would be fabulous at it.
Lizzie Velasquez rocks. I hope I would be like her if I had those kinds of problems.
lizzie can u come 2 my school and talk to us? u seem like a really great person and i think u cud help us a lot.
Lizzie, good on you for not letting your medical problems get you down. Your body doesn’t define who you are and you have risen above any problems you have.
Just another life traveler.
ORDER LIZZIE’S BOOK NOW
Lizzie Beautiful: The Lizzie Velasquez Story is now available on amazon.com
Lizzie shares intimate details about her struggles of living in a society that places great emphasis on outer appearance. Also, read never-before-seen? journal entries Lizzie’s mother wrote to Lizzie as a child. Lizzie gives you reasons to find hope and faith that can be infused into everything you do, so that you too – can achieve your dreams.