Dwarfism

[Guest guest]

Hi, guys! I have posted on here before, but not for awhile. I am

related to and am Conny's daughter. I am an achondoplastic

or achondorplasia dwarf. Whichever you prefer. Dwarfism is

considered anyone under 4'8 " where that is not considered norm for

the family. Obviously there are some families as well as cultures in

which that standard is not appropriate. However, in the matter of

RSS being considered a form of dwarfism it is. If you go to

www.lpaonline.org you will find a definition of RSS as well as many

other forms of dwarfism. There are over 150,000 different forms as

well as some people actually being there own unique type that has

never shown up before. I know someone personally who is in that

category. He doesn't fit into any other form of dwarfism, but he is

obviously a dwarf. Achon is predominant is just predominant. Achon

can occur in families of achon, but often occurs as a mutation among

a family where dwarfism is not hereditary. That happens in about 1

in 20,000 births. And those achons will now pass it on to their

children. So more common than some think. That is a statistic for

everyone.

LPA might be an organization to consider joining if you would like

your children to know adults of short stature who are successful and

happy. Most chapters throughout the US have monthly meetings and are

a great deal of fun. However, I have known people on this listserve

who have said they didn't feel welcome due to the type of dwarfism

their child had and others who have. I think it depends on how you

look at it. At first they may ask you a lot of questions on RSS or

not ask at all because that is not the type of dwarfism generally

represented at the meetings. And also, please remember, it has

happened in the past where people have " crashed " our meetings to meet

a dwarf or what have you. But I think if you are friendly, open and

explain all you know you will most likely find many friends.

Especially among the parents of dwarves because they are often going

through the " culture shock " that you are. I grew up being lucky

enough to know lp's and during those trying times of accepting and

acknowledging my own dwarfism (which everyone goes through at

different periods in their life) LPA was a help and knowing others my

age was a huge help.

Anyway, sorry for going on so long. Just my two cents. Hope all of

you have a wonderful day and a fantastic holiday season!!!!!