A Matter of Perspective

 POINT TO PONDER

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." 

                          - Confucius

 

STORY LINE by Rajiv Shah

Lizzie Velasquez can't gain weight. She's also blind in her right eye. She suffers from a rare disease that apparently affects only two people in the entire United States, Lizzie being one of them.

While in her teens, Lizzie was featured in an online video that proclaimed she was the ugliest woman in the world. Comments to that video included a viewer who wrote that Lizzie would be doing everyone a favor if she would just kill herself. 

But Lizzie Velasquez refused to let her appearance, others' opinions, and negativity stop her from finding her power to do something positive with her life. Hear her inspiring story in her own words:

 

 

REFLECTION

To be honest, I don't know if I'd be able to see the world with the same optimism if I was born with Lizzie's condition. It's inspiring and a kick in my rear to hear her story and what she has done with the challenges she's been given.

Lizzie Velasquez reminds me that whatever challenges we face, it is up to us to decide what we choose to focus on and who we want to be. Because Lizzie proves that there is always a silver lining on the horizon, if we are courageous enough to look for it. 

 

Comments

[Good to Great]

Just amazing story.

[Ben G]

Remember one of your previous stories about John Foppe, the person born without both arms. " "Our only handicaps are those mental and emotional ones that prevent us from participating fully in life"

Thanks for this great story

[Rommel]

Great story. I think time and again, we have to be reminded of what the 'Little Prince' said - "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." Lizzie saw it in herself!

[DKP]

Really nice and inspiring video.. Watched it several wks back

[Pure King]

Amazing….”Khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqder se pehle, Khuda bande se ye poche bata teri raza kia hai”…
“Make yourself so capable that even God asks you “tell me, what should I write in your destiny””

Thanks!

[Penang Girl]

Excellent sharing- comes just right on time for me….. Happy Valentines Day!

[Thank You from Taipei]

Beautiful mind she has.

I will not complain my life, at least for a while.

[Sam]

Amazing video.. Lizzy showed us how to take the negative situations and fuel her drive to her goals. This transformation is exemplary. Thx for sharing her story

[Sharvary]

Wonderful video. To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.

[YK]

Wow! I am humbled to watch the video. Thank you for forwarding.

[Michelle C]

Awesome Story!