Re: tall people

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/18/02 12:08:57 AM Eastern Standard Time,

irish_p_butter@... writes:

> Some say we

> should let the tall world come in so they can better understand us

> um to me then what is the purpose of a convention?

The purpose of a convention is whatever you want it to be. If you're seeking

medical advice, it's there. If you're interested in socializing, that's

there, too. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding that people

just can't walk off the street and join in the activities.

I have never been to a convention and don't know if I ever will, so take my

thoughts at that value. But, I don't understand the problem. Are there

average-sized people with no connection to either the events or the other

attendees trying to make reservations? Are we talking about banning everyone

over a certain height, or is Joe Fraternity and friends applying to LPA for

some laughs and giggles?

Is this a real problem, or are we just arguing about it for lack of other

topics?

luthien

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/18/02 1:53:06 PM Pacific Standard Time,

dbradfor@... writes:

<< Curiosity

about little people is not a legitimate reason to attend an LPA

conference. >>

God, you hit the nail on the head!

[Guest guest]

Isnt that sort of warped logically speaking? We have never been able to

attend a convention but have gone to local district meets and our DAUGHTER

enjoyed it tremendously...that she was able to share with other kids like

her...other adults like her. Maybe Im just a bit thin skinned here. Had we

not been able to transport her she, as a now 11yo, wouldnt have been able

to avail herself of that opportunity. We wouldnt have met Dr. i. As

her parents we wouldnt have had the chance to meet with parents and adults,

dwarf or otherwise, and be clued in on what we were new at...parents of an

LP child. Support....for the Lp and the parents is what this list is all

about and I think that applies to the convention as well. Some on this list

are offering to the average people, who care more than you will ever know,

the same kind of treatment you vehemently rally against the average world for

ignorantly displaying towards LPs. Ignorance begets ignorance. Intolerance

towards any group

is the foundation of ignorance. (Anyone remember the songline. " ...and the

sign said long haired freaky people need not apply'?) Look at the heart and

not the size of the man.

Apryl

[Guest guest]

On Fri, 18 Jan 2002 luthienxxx@... wrote:

> Is this a real problem, or are we just arguing about it for lack of other

> topics?

I think the risk of a problem is not high, but the consequences could be

severe.

It's a well known fact that there are individuals in this world who have

an unhealthy attraction or obsession with people who have a physical

difference. I have met at least 2 average-sized individuals in my life who

seem frighteningly obsessed with people of short stature, and who have no

reason to be affiliated with little people other than their obsession.

Also, I'm sure many of us have heard about those people who are obsessed

with amputees -- so obsessed, in fact, that they have sought to have a

perfectly healthy arm or leg amputated just so that they can become an

amputee themselves. I kid you not.

For this reason, I feel that all attendees to LPA events must have

legitimate, documentable proof that they belong at the event for one of

the following reasons:

- they are a registered member of LPA

- they are a doctor or other medical professional with permission from

LPA to be there

- they are an information gathering professional (e.g. researcher,

reporter) with permission from LPA to be there

- they are there to provide required services (e.g. catering, tour

guide, band/DJ, physical labor, etc.)

- they are a friend or family member of an LP *that has been specifically

invited by the LP to attend*

There are other good reasons besides safety and security to place limits

on who can attend a conference, e.g. seating capacities, accommodation

capacities, etc.

Notice I did not once cite " average sized people " as being the problem.

It isn't a size issue; it's an issue of whether you legimately belong

there or not. The fact that " those who show up for an LPA convention who

do not belong there will most probably be average-sized " is simply a

highly predictable coincidence. And if they are discovered, it does not

automatically mean that they are criminals, obsessives, or anything

dangerous like that... but they should still be asked to leave. Curiosity

about little people is not a legitimate reason to attend an LPA

conference.

Dave

P.S. But I realized that this brings into question who is allowed to

become a registered member of LPA... any human willing to pay dues? Or do

they have to have to be an LP, doctor, or family member? If the former,

then this means it could be kind of hard to keep the wackos out.

[Guest guest]

im glad average sized people arent allowed into conventions. the point of

having conventions is to be around people who share similar experiences. We

have to be in an average sized world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So when

a convention comes along, I think its great where you can look eye to eye

with lots of other people for once, instead of eye to butt.

>From: luthienxxx@...

>dwarfism

>Subject: Re: tall people

>Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 10:38:07 EST

>

>In a message dated 1/18/02 12:08:57 AM Eastern Standard Time,

>irish_p_butter@... writes:

>

>

> > Some say we

> > should let the tall world come in so they can better understand us

> > um to me then what is the purpose of a convention?

>

>The purpose of a convention is whatever you want it to be. If you're

>seeking

>medical advice, it's there. If you're interested in socializing, that's

>there, too. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding that people

>just can't walk off the street and join in the activities.

>I have never been to a convention and don't know if I ever will, so take my

>thoughts at that value. But, I don't understand the problem. Are there

>average-sized people with no connection to either the events or the other

>attendees trying to make reservations? Are we talking about banning

>everyone

>over a certain height, or is Joe Fraternity and friends applying to LPA for

>some laughs and giggles?

>

>Is this a real problem, or are we just arguing about it for lack of other

>topics?

>

>luthien

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Apryl,

I think you missed the point on this thread. Average sized

relatives and friends of LPs are more than welcome to attend

and participate in LPA. In fact, it is encouraged. Lord

knows the parent of an LP go through the ringer as well, and

need a support system.

Tall people who ARE welcome: doctors specializing in the

physical/psychological needs of LPs;

parents/siblings/grandparents/uncles/aunts/children/cousins

of LPs; invited friends of LPs;

husbands/wives/fiances/boyfriend/girlfriend of LPs;

authorized media; supports services (DJs, entertainment,

catering, vendors, hotel staff, etc.); Guests of honor

(Mayor, Governor, celebrities); Bill Gates (if he's willing

to donate).

Tall people who ARE NOT welcome: Joe Average who is curious

about the " midget-con; " people obsessed with dwarves as

sexual objects and/or mystical creatures; the Taliban; Orcs

and Bill Gates (if he won't donate).

-Bill Bradford

AngelsRTru@... wrote:

> Isnt that sort of warped logically speaking? We have

> never been able to

> attend a convention but have gone to local district meets

> and our DAUGHTER

> enjoyed it tremendously...that she was able to share with

> other kids like

> her...other adults like her. Maybe Im just a bit thin

> skinned here. Had we

> not been able to transport her she, as a now 11yo,

> wouldnt have been able

> to avail herself of that opportunity. We wouldnt have met

> Dr. i. As

> her parents we wouldnt have had the chance to meet with

> parents and adults,

> dwarf or otherwise, and be clued in on what we were new

> at...parents of an

> LP child. Support....for the Lp and the parents is what

> this list is all

> about and I think that applies to the convention as well.

> Some on this list

> are offering to the average people, who care more than you

> will ever know,

> the same kind of treatment you vehemently rally against

> the average world for

> ignorantly displaying towards LPs. Ignorance begets

> ignorance. Intolerance

> towards any group

> is the foundation of ignorance. (Anyone remember the

> songline. " ...and the

> sign said long haired freaky people need not apply'?)

> Look at the heart and

> not the size of the man.

>

> Apryl

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Tall people who ARE NOT welcome... Orcs

Hey, some of my best friends are Orcs and Ogres. Uh, oh... no...

wait... that is some of my bro-in-law's family... my mistake...

carry on.

Maurice

[Guest guest]

Dave and List,

Once again, we seriosly need internet access to the most current

bylaws.

...snip..

P.S. But I realized that this brings into question who is allowed to

become a registered member of LPA... any human willing to pay dues?

Or do they have to have to be an LP, doctor, or family member? If the

former, then this means it could be kind of hard to keep the wackos

out.

...snip

The bylaws are VERY CLEAR on who can become an LPA member and who can

hold office. I believe (I am quoting from memory so I could be

wrong) you have to be 4'10 " and under and/or with a diagnosable form

of short stature (Some hypo's exceed 5 ft) or a relative, sigificant

other, etc of someone who qualifies. Additionally, certain AP's who

are in a service capacity to LPA (e.g. doctors) can join.

Furthermore, at recent national conferences, registrants must also

sign a conduct form that specifically defines how we can behave

during a conference. Perhaps future conference committees need to

add to this form that - in order to attend a conference - the

attendee must meet the membership requirements set forth in the

bylaws or attending with someone who does.

There have been times in the past when some " weirdos " have " crashed

the party " at least among our groups of people (remember " Tall

Tom " ?). I am in total agreement that we must regulate who attends -

LP or otherwise.

Randy__________

[Guest guest]

I can't blame Apryl for being confused. You've got some people saying that

AP's ARE allowed, such as doctors, friends, family members, etc. But then,

on the other side, you have LPs saying " No we don't want AP at our

conventions they don't belong "

I have to admit, those kinds of reponses are making me reconsider if I even

WANT to go to a convention now. I wanted to go to meet people that I might

have something in common with, not people who are ignorant and intolerant and

want to segregate themselves from others. I've been surrounded by AP's my

whole life, I have nevre had any LP friends, so I can't HELP but feel

" protective " when I hear some LP's say that they dont want AP's at " their

convention " I wish I could explain how conflicted I feel right now, not that

any of you even care lol Here I have my " AP " environment, where I have

always been accepted, regardless of my height...and then I have the LP

environment, that I am trying to ease into, and so far all I keep hearing is

how " clique-y " and intolerant some LP's can be at conventions. I know this

is some, and not all, but for someone who has NEVER been to one, its

certainly making me think twice about going.

In a message dated 1/18/02 9:07:07 PM Eastern Standard Time, tslug@...

writes:

>

> Apryl,

>

> I think you missed the point on this thread. Average sized

> relatives and friends of LPs are more than welcome to attend

> and participate in LPA. In fact, it is encouraged. Lord

> knows the parent of an LP go through the ringer as well, and

> need a support system.

>

> Tall people who ARE welcome: doctors specializing in the

> physical/psychological needs of LPs;

> parents/siblings/grandparents/uncles/aunts/children/cousins

> of LPs; invited friends of LPs;

> husbands/wives/fiances/boyfriend/girlfriend of LPs;

> authorized media; supports services (DJs, entertainment,

> catering, vendors, hotel staff, etc.); Guests of honor

> (Mayor, Governor, celebrities); Bill Gates (if he's willing

> to donate).

>

> Tall people who ARE NOT welcome: Joe Average who is curious

> about the " midget-con; " people obsessed with dwarves as

> sexual objects and/or mystical creatures; the Taliban; Orcs

> and Bill Gates (if he won't donate).

>

> -Bill Bradford

>

[Guest guest]

My fiance is 6'4 " and we both have many of the same issues from

opposite ends of the spectrum. For him, counters are never tall

enough so he's constantly having to bend over and that can strain the

lower back. Shower heads are never high enough for comfort, toilets

are too low and putting things on lower shelves is as much out of

reach for him as the upper shelves are for me. Shopping for clothes

is annoying because sleeve & leg lengths are often too short. He gets

comments about his size from strangers asking him about playing

basket ball or his best use is getting things off of top shelves. And

of course, he gets the " why didn't you find someone your own size? "

when it comes to me.

I know living with him has given me a different perspective.

Rose

> Super tall people (I bet thats not pc) I think that would be

> cool to get the 2 groups together, not as a HA HA joke but to see

> if we have the same issues even though we are at opposite ends of

> the spectrum.