There are a lot of themes for each month, but one theme that is especially important to me in October is Dwarfism Awareness Month.
Most people do not know what dwarfism is. Dwarfism is characterized by short stature. I am someone with dwarfism, or short stature. The easiest way to describe my type of dwarfism, achondroplasia, is characterized by: shorter legs, arms and a slightly larger head. When my peers were having their growth spurts, I would grow, but not as much.
There are over 200 types of dwarfism. Little people can range in height from 2’9” to 4’10”. Also depending on the type of dwarfism and individual person they might have more health issues. For example, I have had numerous sets of ear tubes as a child and one back surgery. Others have more health issues. Depending on the person, some prefer the terminology of little person, dwarfism, or short stature. The term midget is derogatory and not kind. Most little people come from families who are average-sized, around 80% actually. (I use the word average instead of “normal”, cause who really is normal?). Also the ADA (Americans for Disability Act) consider dwarfism a disability. If I had to pick, I would say I'm Amy, who happens to also be a little person, it's a part of me but it doesn't define me.
I am an active person who enjoys to swim, bike, hike and participate in competitive sports. Did you know that there are many opportunities for disabled people to compete in within the United States and internationally? In the United States we have a sports organization for those with dwarfism, called DAAA or Dwarf Athletic Association of America (http://www.daaa.org/), that hosts sporting events at our yearly conventions and throughout the year at our regionals. Every four years we have an international sporting event, the World Dwarf Games. Just like the Olympics, the Paralympics are every four years with a variety of different competitive sports, only difference is that these Games are for those with physical disabilities, but the competition is at the elite level. The Paralympics are not televised as much as the Olympics as of yet. Here is a link for the IPC (International Paralympic Committee), which also has pictures, videos and more information about the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games: https://www.paralympic.org/rio-2016
Here is a video that shows some awesome highlights from the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Also, a lot of people mistake little people for other little people all the time. I have been mistaken for a woman who is 12 years younger than me and I have been mistaken for a person who is about 20 years older than I! No, I am not famous, and not on TV.
Here is a video by Jon Novak, who has dwarfism, showing his experiences:
One event that has always been close to my heart has been the annual Bullying Prevention and Dwarfism Awareness Event that we started three years ago in October. We just had our latest event October 12th. As someone who has dealt with bullying as a kid, as well as with having a difference that a lot of people are not too knowledgeable about, I am really passionate about getting more awareness and communication open on all sides. We have had Jessica, who created “My Kindness Counts” as a part of The Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding: End of Bullying project, which was started by Ron Barber and his family after the Tucson shooting here.
This year, we hosted the Shyann Kindness Project, who had an interactive program about kindness, and I also hosted a dwarfism interactive program. This next Thursday, we're also hosting a special storytime with the themes of dwarfism and being different.
End note: here are both sides of a printable handout with quick facts about dwarfism. Visit the Little People of America Website to read more!
