a brave heart the lizzie velasquez story

Lizzie chose to not give up, but to forgive and to thrive as an author, as a speaker, and now as an activist.

At 17, discovering “The World’s Ugliest Woman” video, with its 8 seconds of Lizzie’s face, its 4 million views, and its thousands of comments including KILL IT WITH FIRE, presented Lizzie with a choice. Bullying first became a reality when she entered kindergarten and the whispers and the pointing began because Lizzie looked different. And few people have experienced it more than Lizzie. We live in a culture of tremendous meanness. It was clear quickly, that Lizzie’s philosophy on her health and her experiences, was as rare as her syndrome that mystified geneticists worldwide. She was a local hero whose time, we found out shortly after, had arrived. Lizzie and I met when I asked her to give a talk at the first TEDxAustinWomen event which I was producing. Rarely is there a story of survival and inspiration that continues to crossover ages, genders, and ethnicities… enter the brave story of Lizzie Velasquez. DIRECTOR'S STATEMENTīullying is a subject that historically yields heartbreaking stories of hopelessness and in many times, loss.

A BRAVE HEART: The Lizzie Velasquez Story is a documentary following the inspiring journey of 26 year old, 58 pound Lizzie from cyber-bullying victim to anti-bullying activist.īorn with a rare syndrome that prevents her from gaining weight, Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Velasquez was first bullied as a child in school for looking different and, later online, as a teenager when she discovered a YouTube video labeling her 'The World's Ugliest Woman.' The film chronicles unheard stories and details of Lizzie’s physical and emotional journey up to her multi-million viewed TEDx talk, and follows her pursuit from a motivational speaker to Capitol Hill as she lobbies for the first federal anti-bullying bill.

A brave heart the lizzie velasquez story