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.
These kinds of stories are always astonishing. When you combine the will to live and our medical advancements, it seems that miracles can happen sometimes. However, I can’t help but to wonder if miracles always the right thing? This poor girl has to eat every 15 minutes to stay alive.
All religions aside, are their parents selfish for having the child? Watch Video or learn more.
my GF babysits a second-born child that also can’t store fat either…the idea that this might be what happens to her is heart-breaking.
Oh man, that is rough. I can’t imagine the challenge.
“All religions aside, are their parents selfish for having the child?”
100% not. Think of all the good Lizzie will be able to do for a lot of people. The inspiration and lessons she can teach to the people who meet her. Also how could her parents know before it’s too late anyway?
Heya Luke, yah, Lizzie seems to be doing some great things. She’s had to overcome some of the worst odds, and now she can share her knowledge with people. She’s had a really rough road… I’m just not convinced that her parents truly understood the challenges and responsibilities their child had to go through growing up. I can’t help but to consider that Lizzie is a victim of maternal instinct.
Yeah I agree, it’s like discussing birth control (and abortion for that matter). Even though population will become a massive issue in the near future due to lack of space and resources, we dare not talk about controlling our rights to have children (no matter their condition).
Nice answers in return of this issue with real arguments and telling all concerning
that.