Words by Neisha Prabandari K – Universitas Gadjah Mada

First thing first, who’s Lizzie or who’s me? Let me tell you later. But for now, before you continue reading this piece, you should know that it’s not easy for me to write my personal story. I must turn off all self-doubts and unfortunately my television, disconnect from internet, and put away all distraction. I need to shake the words out of my brain until this story end, that is because I consider myself weak in expressing myself in English. But that being said, I have one request for you readers – finish reading this.

Throwback to the time when it all started, it was the fifth workshop at XL Future Leaders program. In that workshop session, all Yogyakarta class students had to present their ideas in no more than four minutes. The general theme was about contemporary leaders in this world with their values. We need to deliver not only biographical presentation but also our perspective about good values merged with our own ideas on leadership. I needed three weeks to find the idea until I finally found the name I should present in front of my friends, my beloved facilitator, and judges.

My search on the leaders started with typing so many keywords on my search engine: most influenced leaders, best leaders in the world, contemporary leaders, international actor, and so many more. I got nothing as it left me clueless. I really need someone with uniqueness, not merely a famous name. Then I realized that I should start with something really close to me. I’m a woman, and it would be interesting if I can present a woman actor. Long story short, I picked one name who was never been heard by me before, exactly four days before the presentation day. She is Lizzie Velasques.

Lizzie has been bullied on the internet as the ‘Ugliest Women in the World’. World! Millions of  people around the world mocked and bullied her. It’s just because she looks different. She has rare congenital disease that makes her unable to gain fat and she’s half blinded.

How about now? Check by your own self on Google. Lizzie successfully became a motivational speaker, she makes her own books and documentary film about her story. She’s got her turning point to change her life. She turned all of her weaknesses into something bigger. Something that helps her to reach her own dreams after the world’s ugliest women moment. With bravery she changed into her strength. That’s why I loved her. I loved her life story. It inspired me, big time.

Just like what I’m doing in the Ted Talks presentation before and now. When I try to write this experience. I acknowledge my self that I can’t speak and write English well, not like my XLFL’s friends. And until now, I still can’t imagine that I became Best Ted Talks Speaker in Yogyakarta class. Then I make a bunch of words to tell you about it. Proud of my self? Absolutely. But, it is such of my new burden to learn more especially about English. I have to get more efforts and bravery to change this weakness to help me reach my dreams. Dreams that I never told to someone before. Become a speaker, creative speaker and a writer.

And at the end, I hope all of you bless me to reach my dream. Especially when your life is getting harder. Because something that you ask to God is more powerful when you mistreated.

This is my personal story and I thank you for finishing reading this.