Starting at a young age my parents and doctors spoke openly with me about the option of undergoing limb lengthening surgery to attempt to increase my height. The world is not built for people who stand 3’10”. It was frustrating to realize that I would never grow as tall as I saw myself in my head. Simple tasks that most people take for granted, like washing their hands, required me to first find a step stool and then stretch for the faucet. My friends towered over me and walking together would force me to take twice as many steps to try to keep up. During this time, I started to realize how my small stature made me stand out (or lack thereof) from everyone else. Bodies and voices change and, suddenly, everyone seems to only socialize with one group of friends. Middle school years are rough for everyone. In elementary school, I was shorter than my friends, but I always assumed I’d grow taller and be more independent despite my dwarfism. Like any other kid, I played outside, went to birthday parties and occasionally fought with my older brother and sister. I attended a normal school and took dance lessons for 13 years. Only one in 15,000 to one in 40,000 live births results in a person with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism.ĭespite my genetic condition, I was a healthy baby and child. Like many with dwarfism, I surprised my parents when I was born.
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