Dwarfism is an unusually low stature or small size. It’s not limited to a race, tribe or community. Anybody from any part of the world can be affected.
Dwarfism is characterised by shorter arms and shorter legs in comparison to the head and trunk, this is a feature that differentiates little people from people with stunted growth.
Dwarfism is not a disease, hence, there’s no treatment, cure or preventive measures to be taken before or after birth. It may, however, come with certain risks and health issues that can be taken care of with proper medical care. Amongst the over 200 types of dwarfism, there are two main categories; proportionate and disproportionate dwarfism.
In proportionate dwarfism, overall growth is restricted but the arms, legs, hands and torso are in proportion. They also don’t grow past 4foot 10 inches.
In disproportionate dwarfism, which is the one most people can easily identify, they have a disproportionate body structure where the hands and legs are shorter but other body parts remain normal size.
What do you know about dwarfism? Here are some myths and facts:
Dwarf children are born to dwarf parents
We randomly think that dwarfs have dwarf parents or must have dwarfs in their family line, maybe from the father or mothers lineage. Dwarfism is caused by a gene mutation in the egg or sperm cell before or during conception, this mutation hinders skeletal development causes most of the cartilage not to get converted into bones. hence, two average height parents with no history of dwarfism can have a dwarf child or children. Same also for dwarf parents, it is possible for two dwarf parents to have average height children.
Dwarfs can become taller
This is not false in the sense that they can become taller but not a natural growth process.
There is something called limb lengthening, as the name implies, this is a controversial procedure that is done in adults only. Several sessions of the procedure are done to increase the height of the individual.
Chandler Crew is an achondroplasia dwarf, she is one of the pioneer beneficiaries of this treatment. She grew over a foot taller after the procedure. There have been several successful procedures and people who have received them are happy and confident now but aside from this procedure, dwarfs don’t get taller.
All short people are dwarfs
Not every little person is a dwarf. Dwarfs may have a certain look and features, however, there are some other people who may be as little as dwarfs but do not have the condition. There are different conditions that may stunt the growth of a child at a young age and stop them from growing. So, don’t mistakenly call a short person a dwarf. The average height of an adult dwarf is 4feet 10 inches although some may grow a few more inches taller.
Dwarfs are the same
There are over 200 types of dwarfism, The most common type of dwarfism is called achondroplasia and this is 70 per cent cause of dwarfism. Another popular type of dwarfism is primordial dwarfism, and this comes with more health challenges compared to achondroplasia. Not all dwarfism is the same in physical appearance and life expectancy. The height of a female dwarf is 4foot 3 inches and a male dwarf is 4foot 7inches .but generally, the average height of little people is 4foot 10 inches.
It’s degrading to call dwarfs midgets
Whether you are just messing around or being sarcastic, dwarfs may find it insulting when average height people call them midgets, it is very inappropriate. It’s ok to call them short but they have chosen to be identified as little people, a little man or little woman. Why not identify them with their names just as you would identify an average height person? I think this puts everyone on a level playing ground void of discrimination.
Takeaway
October is a dwarfism awareness month and it is a time when little people celebrate themselves and also make average height people more aware of things that affect them and how to treat them better. Lots of dwarfs get bullied as kids and teenagers and even in their adulthood, they still find it difficult living in a society that does not favour them. When next you come across a little person don’t baby them, look at them in a funny way, take a picture of them or any weird reactions. Instead, treat them like you would treat an average height person in a sane society.