What is Dwarfism, Proportional Dwarfism?

I am writing these articles from my own perspective and research I have done. I am not a medical expert. At times this series may be humorous and at times frustrating and sad. This is all part of the road we are traveling. I do hope that somehow I can open people's eyes and minds about "little people". (Please read all of my articles in this series for a full understanding of why I am writing the way I am)

As I stated in part two of this series, I am not a "little person". I am just short at not quite 5' 1". After 48 years I am really okay with this. I will also tell you that I have spent years with short jokes, discrimination and frustration. I am also female and described as "blonde". My choice of occupations was not the easy road but the one I wanted. I spent several years as an auto mechanic starting in the mid 70's. I have taught myself strength physically and emotionally. I learned that with the older larger cars, where others had to stretch to reach I could just climb into the engine compartment and get the job done. Yes, people did laugh but I stopped caring. I ended up getting an Associate degree in engineering and finally took the chance at my dream of being an electrician. The construction industry is not a friendly place. What I lacked in size and gender I made up for in strength and stubbornness. I have many stories from this time period and will save them for another article. I was on the receiving end of much discrimination, jokes and harassment. At the same time if there was ever a small space that could not be reached by any of the "normal size" men I was the one sent into it. I can fold myself up well to fit under the cabinet to make a repair. I can climb on top of piping systems to reach that badly placed junction box. I have even added this to my resume.... "Fits well in small spaces".

Also as I mentioned in my first article, both of my daughters are very okay with their heights. I am very grateful for this. It makes it so much better for them as I know the obstacles I have faced just being a short person. Yes, their classmates used to pick them up and squeeze them because they were so cute. That is until they realized that both of my girls were equally capable of returning the favor.

They do have problems reaching items on higher shelves in stores. I do sometimes as well. I have also learned to offer help when I see someone else struggling to reach that elusive item placed to high. I do not feel it is insulting as others have helped my daughters in the same situation. I have adapted my home in many ways to make things easy for us. I heard a story once of a professional basketball player who had a custom house built. He had everything built that much larger and higher because he wanted to see what it felt like to be "normal". I understand. I will also tell you that the term "midget" is not considered acceptable. From my not always accepted sense of humor I have fond memories of a different "M" word. My former fiancé always complained - jokingly - that he lived in a household of "Munchkins". All the full length mirrors cut him off at the neck. He had to bend down to wash his hair in the shower because I set the shower head lower than "normal". He was 6'2". He would always swear when he got into my car to drive and his knees hit him in the face. Of course, if I forgot he had been driving, I would get in and not find the gas pedal. In my perspective that is an "M" word that can be said with love but it is my opinion only. I have stepladders or stools placed where ever they are needed, one next to the washing machine. I have to stretch to reach the very bottom for the last stuck sock. Neither of my girls can reach the bottom at all without help. I suppose a front loading washer would solve that problem but it is just not a top priority right now. We find ways to manage.

My older daughter, E., at an adult height of 4' 8"s, has already faced job discrimination. We went to a local ice cream stand to inquire about a job for her. The owner told her she was too short to reach the topping pumps and to come back next year when she had grown. Good thing she was too short to reach over the counter. I had to restrain myself from choking him and would not have been able to restrain her also. We did not say anything and we just left, not in the mood for that fight. I have told her that in a similar situation we have the option of the platform sneakers. How well it would work I don't know but it is an option. I took her to get her learner's permit for driving last weekend. I am now teaching her to drive. She can just barely reach the pedals and see over the hood but we will work on it. She should not need too much in the way of modifications, just maybe a pillow or a bit of pedal extension and a lot of practice. She will be graduating high school next year, a full year early. Do not ever think that height effects intelligence, both of my daughters are very bright.

My younger daughter, A., at an adult height of 4' 5"s, is also just as intelligent. Unfortunately she has had a large number of stomach problems that have caused her to miss a significant amount of time from school. Even with this her grades are still very good and she is still with her class. I think we can make up for the losses in time. Along with missing school she has missed out on a large number on fun activities and after school events. We do not know if her stomach issues are related to her dwarfism or not. We finally have an appointment with a GI specialist next week and another appointment in a month. Our appointment with the Endocrinologist isn't until July. It takes forever to get anywhere but again that is another story.

A. also is in the school Orchestra. She plays cello and plays well. When she first started at the beginning of her first year in middle school I was concerned. I had played cello and had a very difficult time lugging the instrument around. I played ¾ cello and did not know they made a ½ size one. Fortunately she has a wonderful music instructor. A. has one loaner cello at home for practice and then uses one at the school. She now also plays ¾ cello at school. When I first met her teacher almost two years ago I was told not to go out and buy the small size cello as it would be too small as A. grew. I pulled the teacher aside and explained the situation. In this instance I was wrong. While my daughter has not grown she has an amazing finger span. Her hands themselves are smaller than mine but her span is actually larger. The ½ size does not allow her to use her fingers to their best ability. Even though the ¾ cello is bigger than she is, she gets it on stage and plays wonderfully.

A. will need car modifications to drive but we will cope with that when the time comes. She is the subject of unkind remarks at school but she does her best not to let it bother her. She knows these are just the unpleasant or mean kids that grow up into equally unpleasant adults. I am the one that has to control my anger. When my daughters were babies I always referred to them as "my small people". I did not know at that time that they were "Little People" they were just my small people as opposed to referring to them as babies or children. They still are my small people, and this mother can get a bit hostile when her children are messed with.

Again I will tell you that my children come under the category of Proportional Dwarfism. Yes, we are on a bit of a bumpy road but since they are proportional they do not have anywhere near the complications that go with so many other forms of dwarfism. I hope that by your reading this that perhaps I have opened your mind and heart and given you a bit more information than you had before. Just remember that when you see a "Little Person" the emphasis is on PERSON.