FAN SOUND-OFF: LIZZIE ON APPEARANCE VS. REALITY || khloewithak.com

FAN SOUND-OFF

FAN SOUND-OFF: LIZZIE ON APPEARANCE VS. REALITY

I love today's Fan Sound-Off! Lizzie, who you might have seen in Kylie's #IAmMoreThansocial media campaign, wrote a really touching essay about online haters. Even though she's speaking about her experiences as a little person, anyone can relate to her message. We need more kindness and understanding in this world!!!

As always, you can submit your essays to my team by emailing submissions@whalerockindustries.com.

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTS A LITTLE PERSON

by Lizzie MacDonald, 26

I am 2'6" and I have a type of dwarfism called SED Congenita. I've had many surgeries throughout my 26 years and survived them all. I had a trach tube and was on a vent for the first few years of my life. I had a g-tube in my stomach when I was a baby, too, and had it removed when I was 3 or 4. I had my trach tube removed before I went to kindergarten, but then when I was 8 years old, I had surgery and had to wear a halo and body cast.

I get made fun of all the time; that's just part of being a little person. I try to ignore it if it's in person or in public, but when it's done on social media, then it's a whole separate issue. It's harder to ignore. I wish people knew the real me. They make so many assumptions.

People think I'm a guy because I have buzzed haircut—but I'm not. Then, when people find out I'm a girl, they think I'm gay—and I'm not. I'm just a tomboy; I've never liked long hair because I could never do it myself.

I wish we lived in a world where we are judged on who we are instead of how we look. That's why I still post to Instagram and Twitter, even though I get hurtful comments. I want to show the world who I really am. #IAmMoreThan a little person.