Dwarfism FAQ's
Dwarfism is a medical condition that is not fully understood by the public at large. In fact, dwarfs, or "little people", are sometimes made fun of and portrayed in an unflattering way in the entertainment world. The reality is that little people have the ability to accomplish just as much, or more, than an average size person.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Dwarfism
1. What is dwarfism? One of the main characteristics of dwarfism is a small stature. Specifically, an adult who has a height of four feet, ten inches or less. Depending upon what type of dwarfism the person has, other parts of the body are affected.
2. What are the common types of dwarfism? Achondroplasia is the most common form of dwarfism. The arms and legs of a person born with Achondroplasia are very short, but he or she usually has a torso of regular size. Another example of dwarfism is Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita. This form is "disproportionate dwarfism". The height of a person with this condition ranges from three to about four feet. The person's body is disproportionate, and they may have a club foot. In addition, his or her hearing or vision may be influenced by this variety of dwarfism. A third type of dwarfism is Diastrophic Dysplasia. It is described as "a disorder of cartilage and bone development". Some of its characteristics include short arms and legs, along with deformities of the joints that make it hard for the person to move easily.
3. Is dwarfism a disability? The American with Disabilities Act states that it is a disability. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states that a person with a disability has a physical impairment. A little person encounters things in everyday society that he or she has to deal with and overcome. For instance, he or she may have trouble doing business at a regular counter in a department store or at a banking machine. The physical challenges of living in our society may cause a little person to be seen as having a disability. However, depending upon the personality of the little person, he or she may simply accept these daily challenges as a part of life and would never think of themselves as having a disability.
4. Can dwarfs participate in athletic events? The Dwarf Athletic Association of America answers with a resounding yes. Little people can participate in all sorts of sports and games including track and field activities, volleyball, basketball, swimming and golf.
5. What is limb-lengthening surgery? One of the specifics of leg lengthening surgery that a prospective patient should know is that there is long recovery period. During this surgery, a surgeon who has undergone specific medical training to perform the procedure, will break certain bones in the lower legs, allowing for a device to be inserted in order to allow for new bone growth in each leg. Months of therapy follow the surgery, and for a long while the patient cannot place any weight on his or her legs. A doctor must work closely with his patient on issues of handling pain. One of the greatest advantages to having this procedure is that the lower legs can be lengthened by two or three inches. A second surgery after the patient is completely healed can add even more length to that. The disadvantages include a long and necessary period of recovery involving time in a wheelchair. Plus, the entire process can be painful and emotionally draining for a patient. A person must carefully consider all of the effects of leg-lengthening surgery before making a decision.
6. What stereotypes offend little people? The term "midget" is offensive to little people. In the past, circuses used to advertise their "freak shows" that sometimes included a dwarf. The term "midget" is condescending and insulting to any little person. In the movies, dwarfs are sometimes belittled or treated like children simply because of their diminutive size. For instance, in the movie The Wizard of Oz they were made into silly, one dimensional characters. This was a simplification for the sake of entertainment. In reality, little people have just as many good and bad qualities as average sized people. Like anyone else, a little person will simply appreciate being referred to by his or her name.
7. Can dwarf parents have an average-sized child? Yes. One of the facts concerning the genes of little people is that there is a twenty-five percent chance that two little people can have a child that will grow to be an average sized adult.
8. Can average-sized people have a child who is a dwarf? Yes. According to the above facts, more than eighty percent of the little people born have parents along with brothers and sisters who are of average size.
9. What complications are dwarf infants particularly prone to? There are three main complications for little people in infancy. One is brain stem compression. This condition happens when the "top of the spine is too small to accommodate the spinal cord". Breathing problems can occur because of brain stem compression. The second challenge an infant who is a dwarf may face is hydrocephalus, which means there is too much fluid on the brain. This condition can be corrected with surgery. A third complication may be obstructive apnea which indicates that the infant's airways are irregularly small.
10. What organizations exist for little people? There are several organizations that exist to benefit little people. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability features news, research and other informational items relating to the importance of physical activity for people with disabilities. The Human Growth Foundation is set up to assist people with growth disorders. It offers news on medical research and helpful information regarding insurance issues. The support group for Metatropic Dysplasia Dwarfism offers networking for families who are dealing with this condition among other items of helpful information. Also, Little People of America features a list of useful resources including medical support, encouraging news and places to look for products designed for little people. The organization also hosts an annual National Conference that is extremely popular amongst little people.
Little people are capable of doing almost every type of work. You may find little people attending medical schools to become doctors, working in technical fields, making a living as an artist or actor, or a great variety of other careers. Little people don't let their small statures hinder their lives.
