Re: The lurker speaks!/long post

[Guest guest]

> Hello everyone,

>

> I truly hope that this semi-soapbox post isn't misconscrued in

anyway, but when the compelling hits, I must run with it. []

's idea of brainstorming follows:

You said: " Someone mentioned not long ago that if lp conventions began

to allow ah individuals to attend that they would not attend. I was

kind of hurt by that comment because many lp have ah family and

friends, yet those who do not should be screened and allowed to attend

if not only for a day. Why not set a side a day for an optional

educational workshop for ah people on an invitation basis? "

I think I am that 'someone' you speak of. Let me clarify one point;

family/partners/friends of dwarfs attending are welcome at the

Nationals. That's not who I meant. Observers with no direct ties

aren't and I continue to believe shouldn't. I spend 51 weeks a year in

'the world', I interact with y'all every day. This is a one week

opportunity to be surrounded by those who have 1 trait (at least) in

common with me, it's basically a treat.

Do people want to join in conferences/gatherings for those with MS,

CP, Downs....name a disability to get to know them better? I'm asking,

honestly I do wonder.

And there is no magic way to screen out pervs.

Honestly, what is there to learn? (unless you're an MD) We just want

to be treated like anyone else; basically ignore us. Let us become one

of the pack. Learn that I will ask for help if I need it. Don't offer

every time I try to load or unload my scooter. Don't come over and

open up with a phrase explaining your amazement that I can do this.

*insert rolling eyes here* I had to politely shoo off some woman the

other day, and tell her I'm used to it and do it twice a day. Then I

became extremely aware of the fact that she'd gone back to her car to

watch (stare, and I know because I caught her) me finish the routine.

I did want to turn around and ask her if she could 'ignore me'. Next

time I'm asking for a check to pay for the damn lift, she wants to

help, I'll let her.

And also be aware that as I require accomodations I will ask for them.

And when I do ask, I don't do it as a luxury, it's a necessity.

I think I'd prefer to come to you, serve on panels at gatherings where

you can learn something (bascially what I've stated above) as a group.

I mentioned the other day I think we should be at OB/GYN conferences,

maybe ortho ones actually any medical type conferences. I'd gladly

attend Teachers' Conventions, but feel no need to entertain you my one

week a year when I want to relax, be one of the crowd. I do site

visits to classes, and would expand that as asked.

But, I don't feel a need to set aside time to socialize with you

during that week also. I can imagine that this is one of the reasons

why some AHs receive a poor reception at gatherings. It's sometimes

takes more out of me during that week to remember that you mean well.

I'm not sure what the gap is that you see dividing 'us'. What I need

is what so many others with differing abilities need. Opportunities

and accessibility to take advantage of opportunities. My life is the

same as yours, full of mundane everyday nonsense. Laundry that piles

up, dust that needs to go live elsewhere, bills that need paying and a

job that requires I dress up in something else but flannel PJs and

fuzzy slippers.

I need you to be like my boss who has to be reminded that I do have

differing abilities at times. And that isn't something she learned

from the dwarf side of me.

I understand the Roloff on the Ranch (as I call it) show is serving a

purpose, although at times it makes me cringe. I'm hoping that

multiple exposures to the general public helps to make us as mundane

as possible. Matt and his are playing it up for the mass audiences in

a format that so many have come to appreciate; The voyeur part of the

masses. I would be THRILLED (and much happier) if more actors of short

stature were given 'everyday' people roles to play on weekly shows.

We'd then become part of the fantasy that TV delivers on a weekly

basis to the world. I want to see us delivering the news, hawking

products as ourselves, not as some oddity.

I want to get past (overall general public 'you') tuning into a family

of dwarfs to be permissably (is that even a word?) stared at on TV.

Hmmm, maybe I've hit on what makes me cringe.

I don't mind the second glance, after all I even do it. It's by the

fifth (which is about the time when I can see you whispering, now it's

cell phoning) that I become annoyed and you get coldly stared down.

And to bore you with driving in one more point; you said " then society

will go back to the everyday way of doing things as it relates to our

separate communities. " I don't live in a seperate community, I live

in your community. For one week out of 52 weeks in a year, I spend one

of my vacation opportunities amongst a few other short folks (and

their posse). I'd like to continue to have that one week opportunity,

if not I can spend my money at the any other place I spend vacations at.

[Guest guest]

U know what, im probaly going to get a lot of heat for making this response but

i hope to god my point is understood. I also ask for your patience with my

language usage because when i type fast i tend to write as i speak unstead of

regularly accepted english. AKA ebonics if thats what you want to call it. But

on to my point. Im 4'10 " i come from a family of giants. My father is 6'2 " his

twin brother is 6'9 " my brothers are 6'3' and 6'2 " my sister is 5'11 " . All my

life physically i haved lived in my familys shadow. However all my siblings and

my father for that matter all live in my shadow when it comes to my

accomplishments and everyday life. I find it appalling to be bias towards people

for any reason. I mean height, race, size anything.You cannot have equality

without tolerance. In my city we have a multitude of gatherings and conventions

every year. I mean think about it wit me. Are white ppl not allowed at carribean

day? Or black ppl not allowed to be at the latin

festival? I work at a all black club, do i not allow white ppl and other

minorites to come in and enjoy themselves? Or better yet do they screen

admission into the Stone Soul Picnic or black college day. No.. why because they

are still ppl seperated by nothing but color and culture. At 23 i have sat and

watched people do the most horrific things to my people because they didnt like

our race. But i am no racist. As long as people respect you as a person who

cares what they look like. Im not gay but i have gay friends(mostly female..), i

even hang out with them sometimes. Because they are people. They have a soul

just like everyone on this site. Curiousity comes with being human. You want to

be treated like your normal... Let everyone see that you are. Instead of making

a enemy.. make a friend. " Yeah im short but hey i love car and motorcylces....Oh

u do too. Thats whats up.. blah blah blah. " U give me one person in the world

without a single flaw physically or mentally...

I'll rob the national treasury and give you the money. Instead of seperating

yaself into one lil community thats partitioned from the world see the world and

try to find out how your community fits in it. We are only connected through a

common disorder that for some is crippling, however it doesnt cripple the mind.

Other than that we all have varing backgrounds, likes and dislikes as some of

the most recent post have shown. Until i joined this site i had never even

spoken to someone that had dwarfism but now that i have ive noticed there is a

whole lot of negativity... But y? Most of the people on this site is older than

me by decades. Y be negative you woke up this morning. Where im from if u live

to be 25 ur a old person, every day i open my eyes i think the lord i been

blessed with another day just to see my son. How can i even worry about how tall

someone is. Or how they view me. Esp when its just more fun and fufilling just

to be me and let the world see who me is?

M <petite_isla@...> wrote:

> Hello everyone,

>

> I truly hope that this semi-soapbox post isn't misconscrued in

anyway, but when the compelling hits, I must run with it. []

's idea of brainstorming follows:

You said: " Someone mentioned not long ago that if lp conventions began

to allow ah individuals to attend that they would not attend. I was

kind of hurt by that comment because many lp have ah family and

friends, yet those who do not should be screened and allowed to attend

if not only for a day. Why not set a side a day for an optional

educational workshop for ah people on an invitation basis? "

I think I am that 'someone' you speak of. Let me clarify one point;

family/partners/friends of dwarfs attending are welcome at the

Nationals. That's not who I meant. Observers with no direct ties

aren't and I continue to believe shouldn't. I spend 51 weeks a year in

'the world', I interact with y'all every day. This is a one week

opportunity to be surrounded by those who have 1 trait (at least) in

common with me, it's basically a treat.

Do people want to join in conferences/gatherings for those with MS,

CP, Downs....name a disability to get to know them better? I'm asking,

honestly I do wonder.

And there is no magic way to screen out pervs.

Honestly, what is there to learn? (unless you're an MD) We just want

to be treated like anyone else; basically ignore us. Let us become one

of the pack. Learn that I will ask for help if I need it. Don't offer

every time I try to load or unload my scooter. Don't come over and

open up with a phrase explaining your amazement that I can do this.

*insert rolling eyes here* I had to politely shoo off some woman the

other day, and tell her I'm used to it and do it twice a day. Then I

became extremely aware of the fact that she'd gone back to her car to

watch (stare, and I know because I caught her) me finish the routine.

I did want to turn around and ask her if she could 'ignore me'. Next

time I'm asking for a check to pay for the damn lift, she wants to

help, I'll let her.

And also be aware that as I require accomodations I will ask for them.

And when I do ask, I don't do it as a luxury, it's a necessity.

I think I'd prefer to come to you, serve on panels at gatherings where

you can learn something (bascially what I've stated above) as a group.

I mentioned the other day I think we should be at OB/GYN conferences,

maybe ortho ones actually any medical type conferences. I'd gladly

attend Teachers' Conventions, but feel no need to entertain you my one

week a year when I want to relax, be one of the crowd. I do site

visits to classes, and would expand that as asked.

But, I don't feel a need to set aside time to socialize with you

during that week also. I can imagine that this is one of the reasons

why some AHs receive a poor reception at gatherings. It's sometimes

takes more out of me during that week to remember that you mean well.

I'm not sure what the gap is that you see dividing 'us'. What I need

is what so many others with differing abilities need. Opportunities

and accessibility to take advantage of opportunities. My life is the

same as yours, full of mundane everyday nonsense. Laundry that piles

up, dust that needs to go live elsewhere, bills that need paying and a

job that requires I dress up in something else but flannel PJs and

fuzzy slippers.

I need you to be like my boss who has to be reminded that I do have

differing abilities at times. And that isn't something she learned

from the dwarf side of me.

I understand the Roloff on the Ranch (as I call it) show is serving a

purpose, although at times it makes me cringe. I'm hoping that

multiple exposures to the general public helps to make us as mundane

as possible. Matt and his are playing it up for the mass audiences in

a format that so many have come to appreciate; The voyeur part of the

masses. I would be THRILLED (and much happier) if more actors of short

stature were given 'everyday' people roles to play on weekly shows.

We'd then become part of the fantasy that TV delivers on a weekly

basis to the world. I want to see us delivering the news, hawking

products as ourselves, not as some oddity.

I want to get past (overall general public 'you') tuning into a family

of dwarfs to be permissably (is that even a word?) stared at on TV.

Hmmm, maybe I've hit on what makes me cringe.

I don't mind the second glance, after all I even do it. It's by the

fifth (which is about the time when I can see you whispering, now it's

cell phoning) that I become annoyed and you get coldly stared down.

And to bore you with driving in one more point; you said " then society

will go back to the everyday way of doing things as it relates to our

separate communities. " I don't live in a seperate community, I live

in your community. For one week out of 52 weeks in a year, I spend one

of my vacation opportunities amongst a few other short folks (and

their posse). I'd like to continue to have that one week opportunity,

if not I can spend my money at the any other place I spend vacations at.

===

[Guest guest]

U know what, im probaly going to get a lot of heat for making this response but

i hope to god my point is understood. I also ask for your patience with my

language usage because when i type fast i tend to write as i speak unstead of

regularly accepted english. AKA ebonics if thats what you want to call it. But

on to my point. Im 4'10 " i come from a family of giants. My father is 6'2 " his

twin brother is 6'9 " my brothers are 6'3' and 6'2 " my sister is 5'11 " . All my

life physically i haved lived in my familys shadow. However all my siblings and

my father for that matter all live in my shadow when it comes to my

accomplishments and everyday life. I find it appalling to be bias towards people

for any reason. I mean height, race, size anything.You cannot have equality

without tolerance. In my city we have a multitude of gatherings and conventions

every year. I mean think about it wit me. Are white ppl not allowed at carribean

day? Or black ppl not allowed to be at the latin

festival? I work at a all black club, do i not allow white ppl and other

minorites to come in and enjoy themselves? Or better yet do they screen

admission into the Stone Soul Picnic or black college day. No.. why because they

are still ppl seperated by nothing but color and culture. At 23 i have sat and

watched people do the most horrific things to my people because they didnt like

our race. But i am no racist. As long as people respect you as a person who

cares what they look like. Im not gay but i have gay friends(mostly female..), i

even hang out with them sometimes. Because they are people. They have a soul

just like everyone on this site. Curiousity comes with being human. You want to

be treated like your normal... Let everyone see that you are. Instead of making

a enemy.. make a friend. " Yeah im short but hey i love car and motorcylces....Oh

u do too. Thats whats up.. blah blah blah. " U give me one person in the world

without a single flaw physically or mentally...

I'll rob the national treasury and give you the money. Instead of seperating

yaself into one lil community thats partitioned from the world see the world and

try to find out how your community fits in it. We are only connected through a

common disorder that for some is crippling, however it doesnt cripple the mind.

Other than that we all have varing backgrounds, likes and dislikes as some of

the most recent post have shown. Until i joined this site i had never even

spoken to someone that had dwarfism but now that i have ive noticed there is a

whole lot of negativity... But y? Most of the people on this site is older than

me by decades. Y be negative you woke up this morning. Where im from if u live

to be 25 ur a old person, every day i open my eyes i think the lord i been

blessed with another day just to see my son. How can i even worry about how tall

someone is. Or how they view me. Esp when its just more fun and fufilling just

to be me and let the world see who me is?

M <petite_isla@...> wrote:

's idea of brainstorming follows:

You said: " Someone mentioned not long ago that if lp conventions began

to allow ah individuals to attend that they would not attend. I was

kind of hurt by that comment because many lp have ah family and

friends, yet those who do not should be screened and allowed to attend

if not only for a day. Why not set a side a day for an optional

educational workshop for ah people on an invitation basis? "

I think I am that 'someone' you speak of. Let me clarify one point;

family/partners/friends of dwarfs attending are welcome at the

Nationals. That's not who I meant. Observers with no direct ties

aren't and I continue to believe shouldn't. I spend 51 weeks a year in

'the world', I interact with y'all every day. This is a one week

opportunity to be surrounded by those who have 1 trait (at least) in

common with me, it's basically a treat.

[Guest guest]

Re: Re: The lurker speaks!/long post

U know what, im probaly going to get a lot of heat for making this response

but i hope to god my point is understood. I also ask for your patience with my

language usage because when i type fast i tend to write as i speak unstead of

regularly accepted english. AKA ebonics if thats what you want to call it. But

on to my point. Im 4'10 " i come from a family of giants. My father is 6'2 " his

twin brother is 6'9 " my brothers are 6'3' and 6'2 " my sister is 5'11 " . All my

life physically i haved lived in my familys shadow. However all my siblings and

my father for that matter all live in my shadow when it comes to my

accomplishments and everyday life. I find it appalling to be bias towards people

for any reason. I mean height, race, size anything.You cannot have equality

without tolerance. In my city we have a multitude of gatherings and conventions

every year. I mean think about it wit me. Are white ppl not allowed at carribean

day? Or black ppl not allowed to be at the latin

festival? I work at a all black club, do i not allow white ppl and other

minorites to come in and enjoy themselves? Or better yet do they screen

admission into the Stone Soul Picnic or black college day. No.. why because they

are still ppl seperated by nothing but color and culture. At 23 i have sat and

watched people do the most horrific things to my people because they didnt like

our race. But i am no racist. As long as people respect you as a person who

cares what they look like. Im not gay but i have gay friends(mostly female..), i

even hang out with them sometimes. Because they are people. They have a soul

just like everyone on this site. Curiousity comes with being human. You want to

be treated like your normal... Let everyone see that you are. Instead of making

a enemy.. make a friend. " Yeah im short but hey i love car and motorcylces....Oh

u do too. Thats whats up.. blah blah blah. " U give me one person in the world

without a single flaw physically or mentally...

I'll rob the national treasury and give you the money. Instead of seperating

yaself into one lil community thats partitioned from the world see the world and

try to find out how your community fits in it. We are only connected through a

common disorder that for some is crippling, however it doesnt cripple the mind.

Other than that we all have varing backgrounds, likes and dislikes as some of

the most recent post have shown. Until i joined this site i had never even

spoken to someone that had dwarfism but now that i have ive noticed there is a

whole lot of negativity... But y? Most of the people on this site is older than

me by decades. Y be negative you woke up this morning. Where im from if u live

to be 25 ur a old person, every day i open my eyes i think the lord i been

blessed with another day just to see my son. How can i even worry about how tall

someone is. Or how they view me. Esp when its just more fun and fufilling just

to be me and let the world see who me is?

M <petite_isla@...> wrote:

's idea of brainstorming follows:

You said: " Someone mentioned not long ago that if lp conventions began

to allow ah individuals to attend that they would not attend. I was

kind of hurt by that comment because many lp have ah family and

friends, yet those who do not should be screened and allowed to attend

if not only for a day. Why not set a side a day for an optional

educational workshop for ah people on an invitation basis? "

I think I am that 'someone' you speak of. Let me clarify one point;

family/partners/friends of dwarfs attending are welcome at the

Nationals. That's not who I meant. Observers with no direct ties

aren't and I continue to believe shouldn't. I spend 51 weeks a year in

'the world', I interact with y'all every day. This is a one week

opportunity to be surrounded by those who have 1 trait (at least) in

common with me, it's basically a treat.

===

[Guest guest]

Sorry about the last thing~ I was trying to send a personal reply~

, I think your attitude is one of the best I have ever seen. You are a

terrific person!

Take care,

Patty

Re: Re: The lurker speaks!/long post

U know what, im probaly going to get a lot of heat for making this response

but i hope to god my point is understood. I also ask for your patience with my

language usage because when i type fast i tend to write as i speak unstead of

regularly accepted english. AKA ebonics if thats what you want to call it. But

on to my point. Im 4'10 " i come from a family of giants. My father is 6'2 " his

twin brother is 6'9 " my brothers are 6'3' and 6'2 " my sister is 5'11 " . All my

life physically i haved lived in my familys shadow. However all my siblings and

my father for that matter all live in my shadow when it comes to my

accomplishments and everyday life. I find it appalling to be bias towards people

for any reason. I mean height, race, size anything.You cannot have equality

without tolerance. In my city we have a multitude of gatherings and conventions

every year. I mean think about it wit me. Are white ppl not allowed at carribean

day? Or black ppl not allowed to be at the latin

festival? I work at a all black club, do i not allow white ppl and other

minorites to come in and enjoy themselves? Or better yet do they screen

admission into the Stone Soul Picnic or black college day. No.. why because they

are still ppl seperated by nothing but color and culture. At 23 i have sat and

watched people do the most horrific things to my people because they didnt like

our race. But i am no racist. As long as people respect you as a person who

cares what they look like. Im not gay but i have gay friends(mostly female..), i

even hang out with them sometimes. Because they are people. They have a soul

just like everyone on this site. Curiousity comes with being human. You want to

be treated like your normal... Let everyone see that you are. Instead of making

a enemy.. make a friend. " Yeah im short but hey i love car and motorcylces....Oh

u do too. Thats whats up.. blah blah blah. " U give me one person in the world

without a single flaw physically or mentally...

I'll rob the national treasury and give you the money. Instead of seperating

yaself into one lil community thats partitioned from the world see the world and

try to find out how your community fits in it. We are only connected through a

common disorder that for some is crippling, however it doesnt cripple the mind.

Other than that we all have varing backgrounds, likes and dislikes as some of

the most recent post have shown. Until i joined this site i had never even

spoken to someone that had dwarfism but now that i have ive noticed there is a

whole lot of negativity... But y? Most of the people on this site is older than

me by decades. Y be negative you woke up this morning. Where im from if u live

to be 25 ur a old person, every day i open my eyes i think the lord i been

blessed with another day just to see my son. How can i even worry about how tall

someone is. Or how they view me. Esp when its just more fun and fufilling just

to be me and let the world see who me is?

M <petite_isla@...> wrote:

's idea of brainstorming follows:

You said: " Someone mentioned not long ago that if lp conventions began

to allow ah individuals to attend that they would not attend. I was

kind of hurt by that comment because many lp have ah family and

friends, yet those who do not should be screened and allowed to attend

if not only for a day. Why not set a side a day for an optional

educational workshop for ah people on an invitation basis? "

I think I am that 'someone' you speak of. Let me clarify one point;

family/partners/friends of dwarfs attending are welcome at the

Nationals. That's not who I meant. Observers with no direct ties

aren't and I continue to believe shouldn't. I spend 51 weeks a year in

'the world', I interact with y'all every day. This is a one week

opportunity to be surrounded by those who have 1 trait (at least) in

common with me, it's basically a treat.

===

[Guest guest]

,

I don't think everyone comes on here negative, we are

a bunch of people posting our thoughts and sometimes

have disagreements or voice our opinions. For the most

part I'd say 90% of the people that post on here are

not negative.

As far as biases, I really don't think anyone on here

is acting that way unless it comes to conferences. I

am in the " real " world 51 weeks a year, I get it, I

live in it, my family and friends are tall and I love

them. However it is NICE to be with others like me for

one week, one week free of staring, pointing,

underestimating, one week where height doesn't matter.

I am 3'3 so I think I go through more than someone at

4'10 so the conference is beneficial to me and others.

I attended for school a travel industry conference,

should anyone on the street have been allowed to come?

I know other groups have conferences where it's only

for them, that is perfectly fine! There would be a

problem if we kicked out tallies out of Rhode Island,

took it over, and never interacted with another tallie

the rest of our life, however that is not the case.

Many other organizations have their own groups,

nothing wrong with that, so why do we get picked on

for it? Tall family members and friends are more than

welcome to attend conferences.

-

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Aurora -- As someone who loves Spanish -- what DOES 'metiche' mean?

Marji, mom of , SEDc

Re: The lurker speaks!/long post

Ahhhhhh...... Dear Lurker........Just let LPs have THEIR own

conventions......you go have your own!......don't try to change the world,

change your way of thinking and influence your own family to do the same.

Change starts with ONE person, you or me, then others will follow. Donate

your crocheting gifts to Hospitals, new born babies in NICU's need afgans,

hats and booties! LP's are NOT babies and DO NOT need your " gits of love "

they can buy whatever they need whenever they want to. Being a Christian doe

not give someone authority to patronize others.

Stop being sooooooo (a word in spanish for lurker) METICHE! [moderators

note: metiche doesn't actually mean " lurker " but it's clean ]

Sorry, your posting got the best of me.

Aurora

qscholar <qscholar@...> wrote:

Hello everyone,

I truly hope .........

===

[Guest guest]

" Ahhhhhh...... Dear Lurker " ......

Wow, I am amazed that some have found my post offensive and some did

not. I guess it all has to do with perceptions. Some wild

assumptions have been determined that are not true but hey folks are

going to think what they want to think. I will however inform you

that I am very aware of what dwarfism is and no one has been thought

of as babies, a baby has a certain look, a certain level of maturity

of ones age, and a certain demeanor \O/.

Secondly, I donate crocheted hats, afghans, etc. to many different

venues ie: the homeless, hurricane katrina, etc.(after offering my

services first as I did here) I guess saying this will again be

misconscrued as yet another delusion of grandeur by some\O/.

Thank you however for making your thoughts known, those that took me

up on my offer will get one and those who prefer to purchase one can

go forth with their decision and everyone is happy. My way of

thinking is definately changing, a few things are now beginning to

come to light and I am thankful to know that my thoughts are not

being influenced by previous hearsay learning experiences and when I

later speak to influence those around me, I can now speak on what I

know based on experience, not what I have heard, nor assumed after

hearing it.

Please accept my apology.

Que

[Guest guest]

" metiche " generally can be translated as " busybody "

_____

From: dwarfism [mailto:dwarfism ] On Behalf

Of mcilvain@...

Sent: Monday, April 10, 2006 7:58 AM

dwarfism

Subject: RE: The lurker speaks!/long post

Aurora -- As someone who loves Spanish -- what DOES 'metiche' mean?

Marji, mom of , SEDc

Re: The lurker speaks!/long post

Ahhhhhh...... Dear Lurker........Just let LPs have THEIR own

conventions......you go have your own!......don't try to change the world,

change your way of thinking and influence your own family to do the same.

Change starts with ONE person, you or me, then others will follow. Donate

your crocheting gifts to Hospitals, new born babies in NICU's need afgans,

hats and booties! LP's are NOT babies and DO NOT need your " gits of love "

they can buy whatever they need whenever they want to. Being a Christian doe

not give someone authority to patronize others.

Stop being sooooooo (a word in spanish for lurker) METICHE! [moderators

note: metiche doesn't actually mean " lurker " but it's clean ]

Sorry, your posting got the best of me.

Aurora

qscholar <qscholar@...> wrote:

Hello everyone,

I truly hope .........

===

[Guest guest]

Hi,

As I tend to be long winded, in speech or in print, I apologize in advance.

To the lurker, I just wanted to put my 2 cents in on who should be at the LPA

conventions.

I, the AP mother of a 17 year old LP, am very happy that this year she will be

able to attend the convention w/o me. She will be 18 when she goes and I think

this will be the best convention yet for her. She loves my company but I have

to tell you, as much as I truly enjoy the conventions, I am thrilled she will be

there w/o her AP family. My daughter is in the tall world every day of her life

accept for the conventions. I think it is very important for her to be there

this year w/o the constant reminder of her every-other-day of the year life.

I don't understand the desire of an outsider to participate. I think it is

intrusive and no business of anyone else who has no direct reason to be there

accept to learn. What are you looking to learn? You want to see what

challenges LPs face in the every day world? You will only glimps that at a

convention because the challenges are being faced by all LPs in a larger setting

and so the impact on an individual is then minimized if only for a week. You

are curious? About what? What funny things you can share? Maybe you do have a

genuine interest that is not at all ill spirited. I don't care what your reason

is. You don't belong there.

This is simply a gathering for those people who are affected ALL year by

dwarfism. This is a time when LPs gather and their true joy for life can come

out and fill them and others with 100% happiness and freedom. Here they are

free from stares of the curious (and sometimes just plain rude). Here they are

free from the embarressment when they trip. Here, they are within a peer group

that is not available anytime else during the year. Accept for the regionals

which last too short a time.

The families of LPs are able to come here and watch their family member (often

thier child) enjoy themselves in a way they NEVER do 51 weeks of the year. The

family members can meet up and talk and share pain and experiences that they

have fealt seeing the LP in their life being shunned, laughed at, picked on,

etc... Even the simple things to the average person are not so simple for an

LP. Negotiating stairs, flipping on a light, walking on sand at a beach, etc...

So, LPs and thier families deserve this W/O the intrusion of others.

Stay on the list and read. Participate even, but come to a convention? NO!

Stay away and find your own group! You cannot relate to me and my daughter if

we met at a convention. Further, who says anyone feels like educating an

outsider during this ONE week of the year? We all educate ALL year long when

people stare and we say, " Do you have any questions? " Nobody wants to do this

during the convention. It is a week w/o curious people around and a week for

LPs who have not seen eachother ALL year to catch up.

Amy Spencer

[Guest guest]

You are truely long winded- and i totally disagree with you...i have stood by

silently and not said a word..but you are going to far. I think anyone who

really is taking the time to go, to the conference, be it ap or lp ,shouldnt be

discriminated against based on their size...Besides that..if your not current

with anothers position or reason..then you should keep your two cents..and go

and buy a better oppinion.

Amy Spencer <amandajs_mom@...> wrote: Hi,

As I tend to be long winded, in speech or in print, I apologize in advance.

To the lurker, I just wanted to put my 2 cents in on who should be at the LPA

conventions.

[Guest guest]

Amy,

With all due respect. If we all had the attitude you suggest then

Joan Ablon might never have made two of the most important

contributions to LP's and our parents. Her two books.

Joan attended, observed, rationaized and contributed for many

years. Maybe Que is not a social DR. but her contribution may be

just as valuable in the end. How will we know?

I agree with Que that we need an outreach effort for those such as

her that take a keen and legitimate interest in our causes.

Providing a structured, welcoming and informational event at our

conferences sounds very reasonable to me.

>

> Hi,

>

> As I tend to be long winded, in speech or in print, I apologize

in advance.

>

> To the lurker, I just wanted to put my 2 cents in on who should

be at the LPA conventions.

[Guest guest]

Oh, I see! Only YOUR opinion matters?? Yeah, OK!!

I have the right to share my opinion Autumn. That is what I wrote, an

opinion. The only difference between the sharing of MY opinion and YOUR opinion

is that YOUR opinion is an ATTACK! Mine is just an opinion.

Good night.

Amy Spencer

autumn hatton <dazeylane21@...> wrote:

You are truely long winded- and i totally disagree with you...i have stood by

silently and not said a word..but you are going to far. I think anyone who

really is taking the time to go, to the conference, be it ap or lp ,shouldnt be

discriminated against based on their size...Besides that..if your not current

with anothers position or reason..then you should keep your two cents..and go

and buy a better oppinion.

Amy Spencer <amandajs_mom@...> wrote: Hi,

As I tend to be long winded, in speech or in print, I apologize in advance.

To the lurker, I just wanted to put my 2 cents in on who should be at the LPA

conventions.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I DID not say that ALL LPs have the same feelings as I do. I simply stated MY

feelings. Further, I am sure that MOST LPs / families would prefer to be

without the intrusion of the rest of the world for 1 week. It is not fair to

the rest of the community to allow another in who truly has no reason aside from

simply wanting to go. The ones who go to the conventions and DON'T want

outsiders there do not have to put up with it based on the very few who seem to

want to allow outsiders inside.

For the record, I never realized how important the LPA was for my daughter

until a few years ago. She did not have much interest in it either, due to a

couple of meetings we attended when she was 6 or 7 years old. She was also very

happy. She never really had to put up alot of crap from kids at school, aside

from the rare, very rare instance. She has always made friends easily and has

an excellent attitude about who she is and how she can imact her world for the

better.

Danvers was her first. My parents took her because I had to work. My

daughter was positively BEAMING when she came home. I had NEVER seen her so

happy. She has NEVER been UNhappy, but she had never been in such good spirits

as when she attended that convention. I went to CT after that with her for a

regional so that I could see what this was all about on a small scale. I had a

good time simply watching her be loose and free. I went to San Fran and I CRIED

multiple times during the week and that emotional outburst was repeated many

times in FL as well, as often happens when I think about how much good has come

from these conventions.

No, this is a special thing for people who are affected directly or inderectly

every day of life with dwarfism. It is not for the general public. That is my

OPINION and nothing more. It also, it appears, to be the opinion of many. But

even if it were the opinion of only ONE person, one person is reason enough that

everyone else belongs somewhere else and the LPs and families belong at the

conventions.

I am a parent who wants my daughter to have the same joy and freedoms everyone

else has every day. She has a week to be with her PEERS and that is who belongs

there, along with people who have reasons to be there. DRs, some journalists,

some authors, families and hotel guests and employees. It is bad enough that

even ONE week can get screwed up by leaving the hotel. We went to Disney last

year and don't you know, and her friend were being STARED at. No, not

the glance of the curious. A rude,

follow-with-the-eyes-wherever-they-move-stare. After, I KID YOU NOT, 5 minutes

of this man, who could not have been any more obvious, I finally said, " Oh, come

on? Is your curiousity not satisfied yet? It's been 5 minutes pal! " He

stopped. I don't do this you know unless it is getting rediculous. Niether

does . It was truly a constant 5 minute stare. So, if we leave the

convention and this happens (as it does 51 weeks of the year), why should

someone come to

the convention who does not belong there?

As for an outreach effort? The list serve is a good place for curious people.

There are books and shows like 'Little People, Big World' and various docs. If

you want her to meet LPs in a group, plan a group meeting and go visit her or

invite her to you.

Amy Spencer

claudiastammsted <claudiastammsted@...> wrote:

Amy,

With all due respect. If we all had the attitude you suggest then

Joan Ablon might never have made two of the most important

contributions to LP's and our parents. Her two books.

Joan attended, observed, rationaized and contributed for many

years. Maybe Que is not a social DR. but her contribution may be

just as valuable in the end. How will we know?

I agree with Que that we need an outreach effort for those such as

her that take a keen and legitimate interest in our causes.

Providing a structured, welcoming and informational event at our

conferences sounds very reasonable to me.

>

> Hi,

>

> As I tend to be long winded, in speech or in print, I apologize

in advance.

>

> To the lurker, I just wanted to put my 2 cents in on who should

be at the LPA conventions.

===

[Guest guest]

Amy, I will not argue against your passion and position. It's

clear that as a parent of a young LP your views and priorities are

very different than the aged LP I am. I respect this and I hope you

respect my different views of your daughters challenges ahead.

My concerns are the ones well beyond her attendace at the next LPA

convention. What are her next potential employer or health care

provider learning today?

I would encourage you to keep an open mind and think less about

the short term conference (fun and dancing) and more about the long

term advantage of breaking down the walls of society one person at a

time.

I'm glad that that the recent documentries from Foos and Roloff is

accomplishing these objectives dispite the long standing resistance

to such progress and open acceptance of each other over LPA's

history.

>

> Hi ,

>

> I DID not say that ALL LPs have the same feelings as I do. I

simply stated MY feelings. Further, I am sure that MOST LPs /

families would prefer to be without the intrusion of the rest of the

world for 1 week. It is not fair to the rest of the community to

allow another in who truly has no reason aside from simply wanting

to go. The ones who go to the conventions and DON'T want outsiders

there do not have to put up with it based on the very few who seem

to want to allow outsiders inside.

[Guest guest]

I'm not a lurker, I have posted before. I am an LP. 3'4 " (on my long

leg) and I have to say this is one group I just don't get. I don't

spend much time thinking about being an LP. When I read the board I

often don't even think that you are speaking about a group that I

belong to. I rarely think about being an LP during my day to day

activities. I could become mired in the public perception of me but

I don't. I could be insulted or hurt by stares and comments but I'm

not. I'm too busy being the best mom and wife that I can be. Before

that I was too busy being the best Social Worker I could be. I'm

just . I look different than most I agree but I've never seen

ANYONE who looks like my husband or my son either. If you spend

everyday of your life thinking about every way you are DIFFERENT no

wonder all the daily stuff gets to you all (ok not ALL I know I'm

generalizing!). This group feels like a clique from high school. I

didn't like it then and I sure don't like it now. I think it must be

time for me to unsubscribe. I don't think I have anything to offer

here. Thanks for some insight into the LP world as you perceive it

but my world just isn't that way.

> >

> > Hi ,

> >

> > I DID not say that ALL LPs have the same feelings as I do. I

> simply stated MY feelings. Further, I am sure that MOST LPs /

> families would prefer to be without the intrusion of the rest of

the

> world for 1 week. It is not fair to the rest of the community to

> allow another in who truly has no reason aside from simply wanting

> to go. The ones who go to the conventions and DON'T want

outsiders

> there do not have to put up with it based on the very few who seem

> to want to allow outsiders inside.

>