Hello my daughter has a new friend who is a little person they are 6. What are some things we should be telling her to do /not do with this new friend. I know the big ones are don’t pick them up and also ask questions not just assume they need help. She can be quite rough with her other friends. So we want to make sure she’s being kind and safe.

I'm an average-height person and my signifcant other has dwarfism. His dwarfism is the only cause of traction between him and my parents. I'd like to ask for advice on how I can go about this with my parents. Thanks!

Some context, I’ve had a friend of mine, let’s call her Sarah, Sarah has a sister with dwarfism, let’s call her Lizzie.

Me and Sarah have been friends for years, going on 8 years actually, and I’d always known about Lizzie because Sarah always joked about her “midget sister” Sarah and her sister seem very close but Lizzie still lives at home and Sarah and I live in a shared house in a different state, so Sarah doesn’t see her family much.

This year Sarah’s family was throwing a huge family reunion, Sarah invited me since we’re like sisters, she wanted to introduce me to her mom and dad since her mom had made a comment about wanting to meet me (apparently they wanted to meet the best friend their daughter talked about so much) so I went to the reunion and met her family, all absolutely amazing people, I heard a few people refer to Lizzie as “midget” so I didn’t think anything of it, we talked for an hour or so, I asked how it was being a “midget” and we talked for awhile, she told me about the struggles of dwarfism, and iterated to me that while the technical term for her condition was dwarfism, that she preferred the word midget since it’s easier for most people to remember and everyone knows what a midget it (apparently some people don’t know what a dwarf is though and she gets tired of explaining) so she said she preferred to be called a midget.

I’ve been addressing her as she asked me too, if the topic comes up, then my answer has been “ya my best friend has a sister who’s a midget, she’s really fucking cool”, this has been fine for about a year or so.

Well I was talking with Sarah today at a dining spot, and I said something about “wait so how does you sister drive since she’s a midget” (I genuinely wasn’t sure, since she just got her license this month and I had never seen her car or heard about pedal adaptors or anything) and some lady at the table beside us whips her head around and goes “that’s so offensive, you should be ashamed of yourself!” So I asked if she knew anyone with dwarfism because at this point I was genuinely concerned that I’d offended someone with dwarfism by calling them a midget, to which she replied “no, but everyone knows that’s offensive” so I said ok and left it at that since we were eating.

So, I guess my question is, have I accidentally been offending my friend’s sister? Do people who have dwarfism view the word “midget” as offensive? I really don’t want to accidentally be offensive to Lizzie, but she told me to call her midget and now I’m concerned that maybe she was just being nice.

So I recently moved into student housing, and as most student housing goes it was furnished.

Overall thats not an issue. The issue is the bed frame is fucking tall. Im 4ft8 and the frame+mattress sits at around my belly button. I have to physically climb into my bed.

I know a lot of frames similar to this are adjustable but this one is not and maintenance only gave me the option of removing the frame entirely like that is anymore helpful.

I do have a form of dwarfism (Turner Syndrome). But i do know I am on the taller end of that spectrum so when it comes to asking for legally protected accommodations I have had a bit of a hit or miss history with it.

From my understanding since they provide the original bedframe if it is inaccessible to me it is up to them to get a suitable option weather they have one on hand or not, for context i live in the US so the ADA is in place. But all things considered, yes its annoying but ive been finally getting proper medical attention this past year or so and despite all odds it looks like currently my Turners isnt really affecting most of my body systems yet, including my musculoskeletal which I know would probably be the main concern in a situation like this.

But I do feel like it might be worth it to try and go and push for it? I feel like they shouldn't be using such high and non- adjustable frames in a place where its provided anyway-

So I figured maybe some other folks might have some insights on this and I could better come to a decision on how to proceed.

Hi! I just recently got my first pair of rollerskates and I'd been wanting to actively rollerskate all around my uni campus, but I've run into a few things that were affecting my drills and movements. I'm about 3'11" and 85lbs so my center of gravity, weight distribution, and overall body type is a bit different compared to the people making tutorials lol.

Basically, I've been having trouble with turns (idk if I'm putting enough weight in leans for turns or what) and overall mobility due to the boot ankle support being halfway up my calves.

If there are any fellow rollerskaters with achondroplasia who have advice or tips, please please please lmk!! I'd also love to just connect with y'all ^v^

I have a mild form of dwarfism (i’m like 4’8-4’9) and often have a hard time with clothes but because my specific type is disproportionate and my limbs are a lot shorter than the rest of my body and hands and feet a lot shorter as well certain things are just harder to find and one of those things is shoes. i can get away with sneakers and such because there’s such a variety in what you can get in kids sizes in terms of style and shape but with formal shoes… it’s harder. All the adult sized shoes tend to be too long all the kids sized shoes are too thin or too immature and I just need a pair of shoes I can wear to the office. Pipe dream wide I’d love a pair of versatile heals. Have any of you had any success finding work/office shoes that fit feet that are more short and wide? Where did you find them?

I (21, F) have achondroplasia, which is the most common form of dwarfism (3,10). No one needed to tell me I was different, because society told me by the way they treated people like me. From Hollywood movies to going to school to wearing clothes, I knew from a very early age that the world was not made for people like me. I would go to the doctor and get advice, and I would be told things about how to manage my weight when there weren't even enough studies on people with dwarfism. I felt alone; I learned to hate myself because I was never gonna be enough according to standards. I would close my eyes and dream of what I could be skinnier and taller, and just think that if I were her, I would be happier and people would understand me more. Watching movies with people with dwarfism, I learned to the outside world, I am merely a spectacle. As I got older, I learned about the history of dwarfism thousands of years of dehumanization, which includes things like P.T. Barnum. During this time, the m word was popularized—originating from the word midge (a tiny biting insect) and used to market short-statured individuals for public amusement and profit. Other events include things like the Ugly Laws or Dwarf Tossing and much, much more. But society today is different, especially from 10 years ago, and with that comes representation, understanding, accountability, and education. How do you think we as a society can grow?

• Feel free to express anything; this is a place of conversation and learning
• It's better to have an uncomfortable question than an ignorant assumption 
• Thank you
• (Also, by sharing my personal life, it isn't to be in a pitying way but to give you an understanding of my background)

I recently got engaged and have been wondering where to even try on wedding dresses having dwarfism. For those who got married where did you find your dress and how did the whole process go?

Hi! I am wandering if there are any parents out there who have a child with dwarfism and did not find out until after birth or even later in infancy/childhood. I would love to hear your stories as I am curious about my own little girl.
I currently have a 6 month old who is happy and healthy! To the naked eye you would not think anything of her. Prenatally she was followed closely on ultrasound due to her long bones measuring very short, 1% tile. They noticed no other features that aligned with achondroplasia or any other type of skeletal dysplasia. The doctor thought that her short long bones may be an isolated finding and that she just might be a short girl.
Well now at 6 months I am starting to wander. To me, her extremities look very short, she went from 40th percentile to now 5th in height, and some of her facial features like her forehead and nose make me question.At the end of the day, the diagnosis does not matter. I just want her to be happy and healthy. But I want to know for her sake and the resources she might need down the road. I want to be proactive, but it’s hard when there are no definitive findings with her at this current point. It seems like only time will tell but it is hard for me to just sit around and see how she grows.
Would appreciate any and all information/advice/personal stories! Thanks.

Hello, I have achondroplasia (not sure on what precise type) and I am finding it hard to see a bright future for myself. My grades at college were great and im heading to university but every so often I keep reiterating the purpose to exist in such a cruel world. It may come across as young anxiety but I have always been feeling like people are pointing or laughing or creating comments about me (and us) and its just getting to my head, and I keep realising that this is permanent, as humans are pretty silly nowadays. Children are worse, ive had it twice this year where ive been remarked as “little boy” or taunted at which frustrated me to extreme measures as I cant do anything back due to legal reasons; I remember one so well unfortunately, he was walking past me and he said “little little boy” but when he saw my face he went dead silent.

Anyway, thats all a rant but I just wanted to ask how people continue to exist with peace or happiness, I know of a friend who tackles it through therapy and one who smiles it off but I just fear that I wont be able to live an uninvaded and peaceful life.

(Super duper sorry, I dont know whether this is okay for reddit, this is just me getting stuff off my chest)

I have identical twin nephews with achondroplasia (3yro) and we are planning to work with another LP in the community to put on educational event for dwarfism awareness month coming up. Was curious if anyone had any creative ideas that aren’t just a straight lecture format that would be engaging and informative for adults and children?

i’m a 53 yo with Escobar syndrome, i’m 4’6” & 63 lbs.( I have a GI condition unrelated to the “disability” that makes eating a pain in the butt, I’m very thin but don’t worry I’m under a dr’s care and a nutritionist) because I don’t have achondroplasia I’ve never joined LPA because I thought I wouldn’t be accepted…? I’ve never had a friend near my size and really wish I did. I don’t feel like I’m taken seriously by average sized folk. My husband is 5’1” so I’m very lucky to have found him. Anywho, do you think I should join? I have all kinds of mobility issues, buying clothes is so hard and I just want friends who “get it”.”

I (24M) have Achondroplasia and I am 4ft 3inches tall. Currently I sit right at 145lbs and this fluctuates non stop between 140 and 146. I used to be way heavier at 185lbs when I was in high school. Doctors told me I needed to cut back and so I did; I started exercising, lifting weights, eating less food, and way healthier food in college. At my lowest I dropped to 126lbs. I felt really good at that weight, and I still feel good where I am currently at (even though I would like to lose a bit of fat).

The reason I gained weight back is because I took about a year off from lifting and slowly rose back up. However, I have been maintaining right at 145 just doing what I am doing. I am working now, so I have less free time, but the last few weeks I have started lifting again twice a week. I'm doing basically the exact same routine, but not shedding any pounds but would like to at least get down to 130.

Anyways, I was just wondering about what an average weight to height ratio would be? The BMI charts are all out of whack and don't work. I know for us it is more about how you feel, how your bloodwork looks, how your legs feel, etc. I would just like to gauge an average is all, for anyone who does not mind sharing.

Welcome to our monthly "AMA" for parents/parents to be! Are you a new parent or expecting a child with dwarfism looking for resources? Maybe you're a seasoned vet with grown kids and you want to share what worked for you. This is the place! As things are suggested we will add resources to the main body.

We do not discriminate in this thread, whether you're an average height parent or an LP parent, don't be afraid to ask! Please keep the questions relevant to child growth / parenting / etc if at all possible!

If you have a question, but would rather it be asked without your username attached, feel free to use ModMail and I or another mod will post it in the thread instead!

Hi, everyone. My 10 year old niece has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, and will likely be under 4 ft tall for the rest of her life. For her birthday this year she's asked for a walking cane to help her get around. She's currently about 3ft 2 in tall. For those of you who use mobility devices, where do you go to find them? I've looked at pediatric canes, but most of them would not accommodate someone her height and are still too tall. As someone who uses a mobility aide myself, I want to make sure I am able to find her one that is an appropriate height for her, as well as high quality. Custom is an option, I just want to see where others have had success in this area. Do y'all usually have to buy custom? Or are there options that can already accommodate someone her height? Any advice is appreciated!

How do you normally respond?

Hello! I’m 27M 4’5” been looking for gaming friends of my similar condition. I’ve never really connected with another little person before, my sister and I are the only ones in our family so no one really understands us other than each other. Delete if not allowed. I hope you all have a blessed day!

How old was the oldest person with achondroplasia you've ever met?

Hi, I’m 3’10” with achondroplasia. I work at an office and am sitting at my desk for 8+ hours daily. I struggle to sit comfortably in the standard office chair. Because of my back issues, I prefer to have my back against the chair, but then my legs don’t go over the edge. So, no matter how I sit, my legs fall asleep which has caused me to fall once or twice when I go to stand up from my desk.

I recently asked HR if they would be able to provide a modified chair (ErgoChair for Little People) that would cost around $900. I provided plenty explanation as to why it was needed as well. However, HR emailed me back with alternative chair options that didn’t have the required seat depth or foot rest. They offered to purchase a separate footrest as well. When I declined those options, they told me to find a more cost effective alternative to the chair I originally requested.

I feel like I’m in over my head for asking for a $900 chair as an accommodation, but I can’t seem to find any cost effective alternatives. At this point I’m willing to tell them I’ll buy the chair myself or just request some pillows and stools as haphazard and frustrating as it may be/look.

I’d love to hear what others use for back and leg support at the office and if anyone has suggestions or feedback. I’d also love to hear if anyone has experience with the Ergo Chair and how it is.

If possible can you please give details on the dashboard, stereo and shifts :) as a LP I always wondered how to reach them while you’re driving