TLC's "Little People, Big World"

[kage_ar]

The Roloff Family will be featured in a new TLC series “Little People, Big World” – starting March 4 at 8/7c.

As a person with dwarfism, I’d love to hear your feedback on this program!

Thanks -

 

[sarcophagus]

I’ve seen the commercials and I really feel for the little guy (really no pun intended). He seems very insecure about his stature. I watched that family on Maury I think, and the parents seem to try so hard to help him through his issues. I guess its tough to compare yourself all the time with your “normal” brother and sister.

My nephew is a midget (not a dwarf). He has the same insecurities and he’s only 7. But he still plays hockey and lacrosse. My sister has taught him that there are always ways to get around his size. It’s cute when he talks to me, because my sisters are all taller than 5’8" and I’m 5’0". He refers to me as the “short one” lol.

 

[kage_ar]

Sarc - well, actually “midget” is not a real medical term. We have Dwarfism or Skeletal Dysplatia or another Restricted Growth Syndrome (www.dwarfism.org or www.lpaonline.org have good medical libraries).

I have had the pleasure of interacting with Matt Roloff, and he is a very determined man. They are one positive family!

BTW - I’ve also been on Maury

 

[Celia]

You’ve been on Maury, kage? How cool

In high school there was a girl in my class with dwarfism. No one treated her any different. It’s a small school and a lot of us have known each other since kindergarten, so it was quite normal in our eyes. Most of the time we forgot there was anything different about her at all…she was just who she was. She was the first & only one in her family with the condition, though. I wonder if that’s unusual. I thought it was something that was genetic, after all, like most things.

She’s a really sweet girl. And wow, really smart. One of the smartest people in our class. She goes to NYU now.

 

[sarcophagus]

Hmm…sorry kage_er…my sister always called him a midget…it is a growth disorder anyway, but he doesn’t have the physical attributes of dwarfism (sorry if that is improper, I don’t know much about the subject!). It’s cool that you’ve been on Maury, maybe I’ve seen you, my mom watched that show everyday!!!

 

[Della]

My family (my mother, brothers and sister) are what is termed “short”, but we don’t have dwarfism in our family line. I stand 4’ 8", but I’m the shortest one. My mother was 4’ 11" and my sister is 5’ 2". Her children are all taller than her and her grandchildren are quite normal in size. I suppose we just got a strain of shorter size in our family line and now it is being dwindled out as the children marry and have children of their own.

I am small enough to join Little People of America, but since I am not a true dwarf, I don’t feel the need. I would be head and shoulders above most of the members, the first time in my life I would be! But, I have some of the same issues with not being able to reach things and chairs being too large for me and tabletops coming up to my chest instead of my waist, so I understand some of the difficulties.

 

[kage_ar]

sarcophagus:

Hmm…sorry kage_er…my sister always called him a midget…it is a growth disorder anyway, but he doesn’t have the physical attributes of dwarfism (sorry if that is improper, I don’t know much about the subject!). It’s cool that you’ve been on Maury, maybe I’ve seen you, my mom watched that show everyday!!!

Okay, do you remember a guy (with dwarfism) who sang Elvis songs and proposed to his girlfriend on the show? Then, on a recap, he was back on with his dad and sister - they sang “I’ll Fly Away”… I’m the sister…

I’m also NOT very easily offended! When I was a kid, that term was still in common use. Some people are offended by it, and I know you are the kind of sweet person who would want to know that some people may be hurt by that word…