Lizzie Velasquez

Being a 13-year-old girl who is constantly picked on is unbearable.

I have a passion for helping others and making a difference in the world. I take life one day at a time and make the best of it every chance that I get.

One thing I did was to create a Love Yourself List. I wrote down everything I like about myself, and put it on my bathroom mirror. Then I read it until I believed it. Any time I compared myself to others, and felt negative about myself, I'd go back to that list.

I can pretty much make a joke out of any situation, I'm quick on my feet and I love to laugh. I am the biggest girly girl. I love to get dressed up, go shopping, and getting my nails done.

You are the biggest influencer in your life.

I could eat absolutely whatever I want, whenever I want and I won't really gain any weight. I'm going to be 25 in March, and I've never weighed over about 64 pounds in my entire life.

Everyone knows life throws you curve balls, in my case it's like life throws me giant boulders.

When I was a teenager I would look in the mirror and wish I could wash away my syndrome. I hated it because it caused so much pain in my life.

God made me the way I am for a reason and I would never change that. I lead a normal life as much as possible and deal with the bumps in the road as they come along with my head held high and a smile on my face!

Young girls and boys from all around the world let me know their personal story, and I can feel their smile through their words. To be able to look at those comments and just get encouragement from them and know that I am living the life that I'm supposed to is what keeps me going every day.

I was actually so small that my baby clothes were actually doll clothes from Toys 'R' Us because that's all that would fit me!

Whether it's your personal life, your work life, your school life, your confidence, everything will fit once you believe in yourself.