"God made me the way I am for a reason and I would never change that. I lead a normal life as much as..." — Lizzie Velasquez

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 credit a lot of learning to love myself to my faith, my family and my friends. Everyone needs someone you can look to for constant support, who you never have to impress, to share your happy and sad days.

I feel like I've built up this persona of always being positive and always being happy, and I worried if my audience sees me not in that light, will they think less of me? Will they discredit me? Will I just be nothing?

I told myself that I wanted to be a motivational speaker, I wanted to write a book, graduate college, have my own family, and have my own career.