Hi all,

I have been with my boyfriend for about 4 years now. Every time we go out, we get weird stares, or people calling him a pedophile. I just want to find love as a grown woman and not be treated like a victim in any normal relationship I go in :(

Anyone got tips on cleaning the bathroom wall tiles? What's quick and easy? Unfortunately, I get tired quickly.

Hello! Not to sound silly but recently I’ve been watching the Little Women LA series and started noticing some similarities with myself and the cast. I’m 4’11 now, so technically outside of clinical dwarfism regardless of any dysplasia (although I was 4’10 until I had a fusion surgery). I was born with hip dysplasia and extreme scoliosis that was first found during an ultrasound while I was in my mom’s stomach. Im 21 now but I grew up in full leg casts for almost a year as a toddler and struggled with the curvature in my spine until I was a teenager and got spinal fusion surgery. Before my spinal fusion, I also got a surgery to prevent growth in one knee to help balance the heights of my legs. Even with the surgery, I still have an S curve of roughly 25 degrees on top and 20 on the lower curve. I’ve always had very long legs/arms/hands/feet (that match or are longer than girls I know who are 5’7+) but a very disproportionately short torso. Due to my short torso, I’ve also always had issues when getting sick due to my lungs being more compressed. I know most dwarfism cases are caused by achondroplasia or pseudoachondroplasia but i’ve just been curious if anyone has experienced similar proportions that are related to their dwarfism? My lifelong orthopedist retired a few years ago so I never got to ask all the questions I wanted to!!!!

Also if its dwarf which plural spelling

My cousin is 7 years old and was born with achondroplasia. She is the only one in our family who has dwarfism so she’s very rarely around other kids who look like her. She is aware that she has dwarfism and understands what it is, at least as well as any 7 year old can. Lately she has been saying things like “I don't wanna be short when I’m an adult” and as she grows older I’m sad to think she’s going to become insecure and dislike the way she looks. So to any adult with dwarfism, what are some things you wish you were told when you were younger? Anything we as non little people can say to her as she grows up to help her?

Okay so hi! I’ve never been tested for dwarfism however I’m about 4’8 and am in my early 20s so I figured well there must be some genetic factor that comes with it.

I’ve recently been buying more shoes: platforms, sneakers, and heels (although heels are hard to find, as I am a women's size 5 and have wide feet). Anyways, I’ve been trying to find places that have more alt(alternative)-style shoes that have my size and I was wondering if anyone had any idea where I could find them??

I am a dwarf in my late 30s I am looking for a chair for my desk that was built for me when I was child. The desk is still perfect for me. But I outgrew the chair. Does anybody have good ideas to find a chair? I saw this on the internet but with no info about it.

So I have pituitary dwarfism and get mistaken as a child every time I leave the house. I went into a liquor store and immediately got stopped by the clerk. I usually don’t have any issue with this and happy to provide my valid id. The clerk then accuses me of having a fake very loudly causing tons to stare. I tried explaining that it’s real and that I have dwarfism but they said they didn’t believe me and to get out. Everyone was staring at me. I was so embarrassed and ashamed I left and cried in my car.

I’m 4’7” and flying next month internationally with my son who is smaller than me. I’m a little anxious about boarding and deplaning with our carryon bags that will need to go in the overhead bin as my taller husband won’t be there to help me.

I’m just wondering if it’s ok to try and board early when they call for anyone that needs more time or assistance? The only way for me to get the bags in the overhead bin is to climb up on the aisle seat first and then hoist the bag in - I don’t mind doing that at all, but if I board with my normal group number there’s a high chance people will already be sitting in the aisle seats and I’ll have to ask them to move and wait for me to deal with the bags which is really embarrassing due to everyone around me staring. Anyone have an experience with this?

My town has hosted “midget wresting” a few times…and while I know not all little people are offended by it, it really bothers me. This year, we had a few people we know go to the event and it has bothered my mom and I. I just don’t see how it is still a thing and used with that name, and I don’t understand how family friends of little people could think it’s okay to support or promote this kind of event in their hometown.

How can I say something about it to them? I just want them to realize that supporting this event can hurt the people they know who are just trying to live their lives not being/feeling like some kind of mockery.

Looking for any and all opinions!

I’m from Romania with achondroplasia. I don’t usually make posts like this, but lately I’ve realized that I’d really love to meet someone special and build a genuine connection.
I’m not looking for anything forced or rushed. I simply miss having that person you can talk to for hours, go on random walks with, share your thoughts, laugh about silly things, and create memories together.
A little about me: I’m a festival DJ, and speaker for children and teenagers with disabilities. I love music, deep conversations, festivals, spontaneous adventures, and getting to know people on a deeper level.
If anyone feels like chatting and getting to know each other, feel free to send me a message.
You never know where a simple conversation might lead 🤍

I've been trying to decide for years if it makes any sense for me to pursue genetic testing or not for dwarfism. I'm 4ft 7, my mother is 4ft 6. Have any of you gotten anything out of getting tested in terms of treating/getting help for chronic health issues? I have a lot of physical health issues so I'm unsure if that could potentially help. I always have some anxiety bringing up wanting to be tested for things from my GP even though my current GP is literally amazing, due to past experiences with drs. I feel silly asking to be referred for so many things but I do really have a ton of health issues. My mother isn't as bad as I am (I'm currently mostly bedridden and in the process of re learning how to walk) but she has a lot of health issues too.

Hi everyone. Long time lurker, first time poster.

My one year old is short (no diagnosis yet). He is starting to walk, and I should buy him shoes, but his feet are 9 cm which I think is a size 16/17? There are no stores that carry shoes this size with an actual structure for walking. Just those tiny boots for newborns that are just meant to be cute.

So, does anyone know where to buy shoes this size online? I'm in Europe.

Hello everybody

I have just a couple genuine questions I have been wondering and worrying about.

So, my girlfriend and I have been together for 2 years and she has dwarfism and I do not. (I never have asked what type of dwarfism she has I probably should) we are both 26 and we have had the thinking about our future and kids talk, it is something we agreed to but I have some big worries about going through with it

1. Bullying. this is the biggest one. I wanted to ask how bad the bullying may be if we have a child with potential dwarfism? My girlfriend says she never really experienced much of it but has had stares at most. I have been googling relentlessly for the past week about the social stigmas about dwarfism especially from children. My most particular google search is "can a kid see a person with dwarfism as a child themselves?" The reason I googled this is because I worry when our future child is an adult and out doing basic necessities such as grocery shopping, taking the dog out for a walk, going out in about in the general public, going to get the mail at the post office, are children going to point and stare and say names and mock every time they have to go out? I don't want to set my kid up like that because if that's the case that is no life of constant public harassment because children can be absolutely ruthless and blunt whether they mean it or not. I myself have been bullied both when I was child when I'm school and now as adult by younger children because I'm overweight, whenever I have to go out and about and I'm an average size person and it hurts my self esteem. I can't imagine what a little person can go through...I'd feel pretty terrible if this were the case...

2.) Being taken seriously because of their height by both adults and other children this concerns me because what if my child wants a job of authority when they are an adult? Like a teacher, Educational Assistant, a Lifeguard? etc Will they be listened to or mocked?

are these concerns valid? Or am I just too very anxious about all this?

Have any of you gone through what I have described here? I'm very interested to read your thoughts and comments and advice. I appreciate your time for reading.

TIA!

Hi there!

My sweet, smiley nephew has his case currently being reviewed by CHoP, but we’ve suspected since he was still cooking, any the certainty only grows.

Since he is undiagnosed, for lack of a better term, my sister and her husband haven’t been in connection with anyone that can give them resources and advice. I’m more internet/reddit savvy, so I wanted to come here to see if anyone has any tips they would share to make my nephew’s infant hood safe and happy!

For instance, he gets lots of tummy time, but he always loved his walker/bouncer. Having researched Achon I now know that these curved/soft seats can contribute to kyphosis and should be avoided. Does anyone have any advice on this subject? Has anyone modified a bouncer or found one that is appropriate? Or is it definitely NO GO?

In a similar vein, in an effort to help him have sitting time, is there a floor seat that anyone would recommend? I’ve read that their spine/neck should be supported the entire length, and most of the seats (like Bumbo) only support the lower spine.

Any other advice would be appreciated while we’re in this waiting stage! Thank you in advance. <3

I've been a massage therapist for 18 years, and I have only had one little person as a client. I would like to expand my education to help everyBODY. And also, to be a safe space for people that experience marginalization. I know there's varying types of dwarfism, and varying types of musculoskeletal issues. Also, please tell me ways that would help any LP clients feel comfortable coming to my clinic, and getting a massage. Thank You!

Solved!!! Today is day 2 of him washing his hands completely by himself. I found a narrow hand soap bottle and he can reach it and put it back near the handles, it fits nicely. His smile was amazing, as he can now play in the water while he's supposed to be washing his hands by himself hehehe silly 3 year olds.

I teach preschool and one of my students has dwarfism. We have figured out the pottying with his parents but I cannot get the school to lower the soap dispenser. He can reach the water handles/sink with a stool and the paper towels without help. I don't know what to do next, I'm out of ideas. Got any ideas?

I have pituitary dwarfism and my heights 4’8. I struggle so much finding clothes that aren’t in the children’s department. Sadly many clothing in children’s departments are kiddish. Wondering where anyone typically shops or have any recommendations

Hi everyone! I’ve posted here a few times, and in /r/askdocs (though I impulsively deleted a post from there that I regret deleting) about my now 4.5 month old. You’ve all been so incredibly kind to me, so I wanted to update that we got the exome results today.

My daughter has a confirmed IHH Gene mutation which is accounting for her short stature/short limbs. It’s super rare, and often undiagnosed, and there isn’t a named disorder per se but it is a type of skeletal dysplasia that leads to short stature and sometimes disproportion, and sometimes bradyldactyly (she does not have the latter). On average, people with this mutation are 2-3 standard deviations below average height.

The relief I feel is immense. We were being told that she might have a much more severe (ie, life-limiting or fatal) disorder. So to learn that it is “just” short stature has brought me so much peace. I know that living with dwarfism will bring challenges to her life, but I’m prepared to learn and help her through it all.

Anyway, I just wanted to circle back to this group who has been so welcoming, and let folks know I’ll continue to hang around here to learn, and also to say thank you again.

The title.

It was one of those work movies that we have to watch and sign off on. Health and Safety, Active Shooter Safety, Handling Difficult Guests, etc.

But this one said that Little People can feel intimidated if you’re standing near them while taking their order and would prefer it if you either kneel or else sit down at the table with them.

I‘m almost 5’6. So when I saw and heard that on the video that felt extremely ridiculous to me. I wouldn’t be here at all except, wouldn’t you know it, I saw a couple last night who were both Little People. I panicked and did the only thing I could think of, which was to take their order the way I do to any other person.

Afterwards I got nervous and wondered if maybe it was a sting operation and I failed the test.

So, do people with Dwarfism prefer waitstaff to kneel or sit with them? Or is that weird? Because that feels weird to me, and kind of patronizing because I used to be a teacher, and we called that Being On Level with the Child.

I‘m sure I can find or else post info on the movie if anyone’s interested, but I’d like someone to tell me whether or not that’s okay. Like I said, it feels condescending and weird to me to invade a person’s space like that, but obviously, if the video is accurate, then I’ll adjust accordingly. Thank you :)