Bat-El Papura (her first name means “Daughter of G-d” in Hebrew) is a 48-inch tall “little person” who was born in Romania and has spent most of her life in Israel. During her 30 or so years on Earth, she has encountered and overcome a great many obstacles. Her longtime dream was to become an actor, and despite being told innumerable times that would be impossible, she never gave up and achieved her goal. In addition, the lectures she’s given all over Israel and on the Internet has inspired millions of people.
Quote: “When I was four years old, I went outside to play with the kids in the neighborhood. And some older kids, I think they were six years old, pointed at me and called me a midget and laughed at me. And I ran home to my mother and burst in tears and said, ‘Mommy, mommy, I’m never playing outside in the neighborhood again! They laugh at me and call me a midget.’
“My mom looked at me and said, ‘You’re now going outside. And I’m locking the door, and you cannot come home until you have at least two friends.’ So I went outside, because you don’t mess with a Jewish-Russian mother. And she locked the door. And I came back home only after I had met Rotem and Limor, my two best friends through the entire period of elementary school.”
Sources: Schusterman.org, Ted Talks
Learn more about Bat-El Papura on Schusterman.org. >>
Bat-EL Papura may be short in stature, but her personality is gigantic. Watch her inspiring and entertaining Ted Talk (“Bigger Is Better”) [16:06]. >>
Photo: iambatel.com
