Guest guest Posted January 7, 2004 Report Share Posted January 7, 2004 While I have no problem in accepting that my child has a form of dwarfism I prefer to explain her condition as a growth disorder. However, whether she is technically a midget or not I certainly will never refer to her as such and I take a dim view of anybody else that does. Eileen Jodi Zwain magicrss@...> wrote: According to Dr. H., while RSS is spoken of as " primordial dwarfism, " she does not like to use the term dwarf for our RSS kids. All of our doctors agree on this one. And I'm talking about doctors who have researched this for at least the 15 years we have worked with them. Plus, think about your children and others and how they would react to being called a dwarf. Telling people that your child has a growth disorder is a much better and more positive spin to the whole situation. By the way, according to LPA, Little People of America, my definition of a dwarf and midget are correct. And they were confirmed by Dr. at the DuPont Institute in Delaware. Dr. is the main medical advisor for LPA. We used to belong to that organization. Max, however, is now too tall to belong. He is 5 feet. Their " cut-off " is 4'11 " . A change in wording can make all the difference in how a child perceives him/herself. Jodi Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2004 Report Share Posted January 7, 2004 I never meant for anyone to use the term midget INSTEAD of dwarf. I was just pointing out the difference in the terms. I still don't use either and I never will. Max's self-esteem and self-image are at stake and he is fragile enough as is. It is much easier and more realistic for us to say " growth disorder. " I really hope this ends the discussion. I did not mean to get on such a hot topic. But I do hope that parents will consider their children's feelings when talking about RSS. Jodi Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2004 Report Share Posted January 7, 2004 Jodi Z An excellent point made. At first I said a form of dwarfism then I thought more about it and changed my mind to " growth disorder " Here is another thought would you want your child to be thought of as chubby or obese?? Which we now our child are far from this, in most cases. Maloy Re: I'm not wrong I never meant for anyone to use the term midget INSTEAD of dwarf. I was just pointing out the difference in the terms. I still don't use either and I never will. Max's self-esteem and self-image are at stake and he is fragile enough as is. It is much easier and more realistic for us to say " growth disorder. " I really hope this ends the discussion. I did not mean to get on such a hot topic. But I do hope that parents will consider their children's feelings when talking about RSS. Jodi Z. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 I don't believe that anybody on this site needs to be told to consider their beloved children's feelings! The term midget does not apply to RSS children anyway. I hate to keep using this word as it is offensive but a midget is a person of extreme short stature who is deficient in growth hormone. RSS is a growth disorder which is a type of dwarfism in that RSS people tend to be shorter than the average person. They are not deficient in GH. I think we need to be careful in the terms we use on this site as some new parents or parents of children who are newly diagnosed may be feeling particularly vulnerable and depressed. I know that's how I felt when Imogen was a babyand I was coming to terms with things and that word was used twice in relation to my child(NOT by doctors I might add!) and each time I wanted to weep. Let's not use that word anymore on this site. It doesn't apply to RSS anyway. Eileen Jodi Zwain magicrss@...> wrote: I never meant for anyone to use the term midget INSTEAD of dwarf. I was just pointing out the difference in the terms. I still don't use either and I never will. Max's self-esteem and self-image are at stake and he is fragile enough as is. It is much easier and more realistic for us to say " growth disorder. " I really hope this ends the discussion. I did not mean to get on such a hot topic. But I do hope that parents will consider their children's feelings when talking about RSS. Jodi Z. --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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