Adding to the subject of my friend may be an LP:

[Guest guest]

O.K., I'm bored! Rose, are yer ready???????

AH BUT!!!!!!!!

makes some pretty convincing points and arguements FOR joining the

congregation. Cos, if you substitute any religious sect in place of LPA

throughout her arguement, it gets pretty near to trying to convert folks:-)

" Save those whom need saving "

" Rescue those who have fallen "

" Bring back to the fold those who are lost "

Etc, etc, etc

BUT (yes Rose, AH BUT), rather than castigate those who have no wish to join,

surely we should be looking at WHY they have no wish to do so, or why such an

organisation holds nothing for them?

As I see it, there are two reasons why folks aint joined. One, fine, they aint

heard about it, and in which case, yer, information replaces ignorance but

should never ever take away choice.

Second, those who just plain have no need for membership of an organisation.

They are, presumably, happy IN society and have carved their own way within it.

But it isn't just the likes of the LPA's and RGA's that have this problem.,

Thankfully society isn't quite, QUITE as horrible towards those with a

'difference' as it once was. Thanks to the organisations in part, and part

thanks to those independent folks who represent the rest of their ilk, through

representation within society, society IS, sorta kinder towards us than it used

to be.

Lin and I saw something similar in the deaf community. Attendance at the " Deaf

Club " was dropping, and it was mainly the young ones not going any more. Why?

Because they found they were now accepted into Society and could go where they

wished and do what they wished without the need of a 'retreat' in the guise of

the " Deaf Club "

There is no doubt that the ilk of LPA does serve one hell of a valuable roll

within the small statured section of society. Particularly, as Caela said, for

the young to meet their peers and for parents to meet other parents etc. AND

long may it and it's like, survive and thrive.

But don't lets castigate those who have no wish to join. Just don't assume that

every small person sees themselves AS small, or in need of membership of the

small statured community.

Amen:-)

Fred Ahbut!

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Hello all,

I think it should be up to LPA to make sure every LP

knows about LPA, if they join or not it is up to them,

but LPA, RGA, SSPA are wonderful resources that have a

lot to offer and they should be known. I give the

Roloff show Kudos because they are getting the word

out there, as someone has mentioned, I have not heard

the term midget in awhile and it is NICE!

Now my question is why is mentioning LPA or RGA to

another LP so taboo? LPA is not like a religion so

why is discussing height with another short statured

person a no-no?

Unfortunately some LP's out there that I have

personally spoken with think all we do in LPA is have

pity parties about our height or sit in circles

complaining. On person told me that they were raised

to be strong and independent growing up so they did

not need LPA. I answered back saying that was the

exact same for me, I got many times the " you are not

anymore special than anyone else " speech in my home,

but what does that exactly have to do with joining

LPA? LPA is made up of some of the strongest willed

people I have ever met.

I think LP's out there that have never really been to

LPA related things may have a distorted view of what

we do or judge by this listserve, which for the

millionth time, does not represent LPA.

As far as people being proud not to be a member of LPA

or RGA, I don't understand that mentality. That is

fine if one does not get much out of the organization

but what about supporting the organizations for

others? I don't know about RGA but LPA to name a few

does these:

-Access to doctors that specialize in dwarfism

-Workshops dealing with real life issues we face

-Networking with other professionals and others

-Learning hints and tips from fellow lps to make life

easier

-A wonderful outlet for parents who are scared and

have no idea what they are in for.

So instead of being proud not to be a member, why not

re-evalualte the purpose of the organization and

support it for those that DO gain something from it?

Why not make a yearly donation? LPA has helped so many

people it is amazing and I am not even talking about

the social aspect.

I do not think anyone in LPA NEEDS LPA, but people go

because of those I mentioned above plus to get down to

it, for me I love being around people LIKE ME. Yes, I

love my tall friends and family, they are my heart,

but they will NEVER understand what it is like to be

an lp just like I will never understand what it is

like to be blind or deaf or have autism, etc..

Being a member for seven years I thought I heard it

all about being a Pseudo and I was my own expert.

After attending the wonderful D2 regional I learned a

few important things about pseudo that I had no clue

on. Just from that I am glad I went! So seven years

out I am still learning helpful information.

I have no issue discussing LPA with anyone, and if

another LP is upset then I hope that they are able in

their own time to find why they are upset about that.

There is nothing embarassing or upsetting about

mentioning LPA or stating the obvious " you have a

dwarfism! " Maybe they do have issues of their own in

terms of their own dwarfism. At least I put LPA in

their heads and they know if they ever need US we are

here for them.

- (who did not grow up in LPA)