Hope 2007 a better one for all of us!!

[Guest guest]

Hi " ditalini "

Thanks for sharing your year -- both ups and downs. To me it is real

inspiring and you're brave to share what you went thru!

I think all of what you mentioned below is " big " and " true " -- especially

the part about living in a society where looks and appearance are such a

big deal, (especially in dating) and here you (we) are a dwarf, of all things!

And nobody wants to address this aspect -- or how it relates to almost

every aspect of society -- like finding employment, finding a mate, help in

gaining economic security (two-incomes are better than one, etc.).

I always thought of dwarfism as more of a " social " disability -- that

society places on us, moreso than what we can or cannot do. Even

though I recognize and realize some of us, have serious limiting mobility

and disability issues.

Yeah -- I agree in that to the future a more thought-provoking, compassionate

LPA would be great! Where we can discuss some of these topics, that

aren't " politically correct " -- maybe not on public list-serve, but among

friends.

Cuz it helps to hear about someone who's having the same problems you

have, and how they got thru it, instead of sweeping it under the rug.

I realize or gather, that LPA wants to present dwarfs as being " normal "

people in society, that are just shorter -- meaning they can have good jobs,

be employable, are educated, have supportive families, date, get married,

have children, and all that " good " stuff. And I can truly understand why

they want to promote positive images, to move dwarfs up as a people in

society, and make sure the public know they're good, normal, employable

people, etc. (For lack of better words on how to say this, please excuse

my choice of adjectives) And they don't want the negative images to

prevail or cause hardships -- i.e. the bufoons, drunks, dwarf tossing, etc. etc.

--

to other dwarfs who are truly trying to be " professionals " in employment,

life, etc.

HOWEVER, dwarfs face some very serious issues, that is DIRECTLY due

to their dwarfism, that needs to be discussed and addressed in some

forum (not necessarily a public forum.) Some of these are very unpopular &

politically incorrect, and nobody wants to discuss them. As what you

mentioned above as to beauty & acceptance. Others are -- not all dwarfs

come from loving supportive families, some dwarfs are rejected and/or

treated badly by their families, directly due to the fact that they are a dwarf,

and families are ashamed of them. Some dwarfs live in dire poverty, directly

due to having dwarfism/disability. Some dwarfs live in very dire, hopeless

situations under hostile conditions. Some dwarfs are mocked, teased,

and ridiculed every day. Some dwarfs are so lonely and isolated, they

never experience normal things like dating, eating dinner out, going to

movies, etc. etc. In the majority of these cases, these negative experiences

are solely because the individual is a " dwarf " -- and may happen to be

born in the wrong family, community or society. While another dwarf,

given a different set of circumstances will excel, and their dwarfism will

not hold them back from anything or be a negative experience.

My only point is, in LPA moving the " dwarf image " (or whatever you want

to call it, for lack of better words) forward -- let's not forgot -- those of

us,

who don't have loving/supportive familys, supportive communities, who

aren't protected by buffer of economic security, who haven't had the

opportunity to be in environments that are conducive to personal growth,

who don't live in positive environments where they can develop a good

self-esteem, etc. etc.

I always hoped LPA could be a place to discuss some of these more

unpopular, politically incorrect and " sad " topics -- for dwarfs that are still

stuck in them, so we can help each other out of them. Instead of always

promoting the good image, and sweeping the ones left behind, under the rug.

MARY

But instead, it seems Little People want to hide, rather than

expose, the real demons and issues of more delicate and complicated

dynamics of being an anomaly in a otherwise `perfect' society, where

looks and appearance continue to be the first and foremost

qualifyer's of acceptance. And it's a shame that no attention is

being given to this matter.

LPA should be much more of a source of support than giving

information on how to acquire bottom-wipers, find local doctors and

give out information for new AP parents.

In the last year, I started to think that dwarfism was not just a

physical disability, but a mental one as well.

This year, I've seen three LP women have babies which is a medical-

mystery to many of us, and many hopeful child-bearing LP women like

me, remain left in the dark into the how's, the what if's, and the

why not's of having a baby. There is no comprehensive source of

information on this, and LPA's website just remains a bland and

precursory out-post of information that many of us already know, are

tired of hearing, and seems not really for our own benefit, but for

the general public.

True, LPA holds specialized work-shops at it's conventions that

cover the more delicate issues of dwarfism, but what about those who

can't afford, or those who don't want to attend the convention? And

while we're on that note, I think the prevailing philosophy in LPA

towards non-members that " You're either with us, or against us " is

immature and counter-productive and only further alienates

individuals who already face multitudes of discrimination everyday.

The image of dwarfs, though in baby-steps, has come a long way in

our society (even though it seems to continue to shoot itself in

it's own foot, sometimes), thanks to modern televised productions

like Roloff family reality-series, and more accurate portrayals of

dwarfs in film; I don't see why LPA can't follow suit.

I'm looking forward to the newer generations of LPA that will uphold

it's administration- and I'm hoping and expecting a hipper, more

cutting-edge and overall thought-provoking, compassionate version of

LPA in the future.

Thanks for listening!

" Cultural Learnings of Little People of America to Make Benefit for

Future Generations "