Re: Uncomfortable with both words, dwarf and midget

[Guest guest]

As for how to answer public questions, I usually give people the " short "

version, if you'll pardon the expression. " I am a dwarf (or " I have a form

of dwarfism " ) which is an inherited medical condition that causes me to have

short arms and legs. " If they want to know more, they will generally ask

(and I will generally tell them). I try to make the point that it's part of

me just having brown hair is part of me (okay, it's not quite as brown as it

once was). It's *one* thing about me - it's always part of me, but never all

of me. With young children you can frequently use the analogy of hair color

and eye color, particulary if they strongly resemble the parent.

Alyce :-)

[Guest guest]

I handle questions about the same way for my son. I think I prefer the

'form of dwarfism' way to say it. I think that people (many kids on the

inside if not the outside!) hear the 'dwarf' part of it but might note that

the context is medical and not fairy-tale.

Inga

At 02:22 PM 8/20/99 EDT, Samwil@... wrote:

>From: Samwil@...

>

>As for how to answer public questions, I usually give people the " short "

>version, if you'll pardon the expression. " I am a dwarf (or " I have a form

>of dwarfism " ) which is an inherited medical condition that causes me to have

>short arms and legs. " If they want to know more, they will generally ask

>(and I will generally tell them). I try to make the point that it's part of

>me just having brown hair is part of me (okay, it's not quite as brown as it

>once was). It's *one* thing about me - it's always part of me, but never all

>of me. With young children you can frequently use the analogy of hair color

>and eye color, particulary if they strongly resemble the parent.

>

>Alyce :-)

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

I agree with you, Inga! ~Patty

Re: Uncomfortable with both words, " dwarf " and " midget "

> From: Inga <g_ingah@...>

>

> I handle questions about the same way for my son. I think I prefer the

> 'form of dwarfism' way to say it. I think that people (many kids on the

> inside if not the outside!) hear the 'dwarf' part of it but might note

that

> the context is medical and not fairy-tale.

>

> Inga

>

> At 02:22 PM 8/20/99 EDT, Samwil@... wrote:

> >From: Samwil@...

> >

> >As for how to answer public questions, I usually give people the " short "

> >version, if you'll pardon the expression. " I am a dwarf (or " I have a

form

> >of dwarfism " ) which is an inherited medical condition that causes me to

have

> >short arms and legs. " If they want to know more, they will generally ask

> >(and I will generally tell them). I try to make the point that it's part

of

> >me just having brown hair is part of me (okay, it's not quite as brown as

it

> >once was). It's *one* thing about me - it's always part of me, but never

all

> >of me. With young children you can frequently use the analogy of hair

color

> >and eye color, particulary if they strongly resemble the parent.

> >

> >Alyce :-)

> >

> >---------------------------

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/22/99 8:34:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time, rmackay@...

writes:

<< I know that when I walk down the street and see someone who surely has been

going through some form of cancer treatment, I know that I nor would it be

acceptable to go up to that person and say " DO YOU HAVE CANCER? " >>

How ever so true and nor would you say what kind of cancer? Nor would one go

up to someone who was of dark complexion and say are you bi-racial, latino,

native american? The other thing is people that are strangers and just

coming up to someone it's quite frankly none of their business. Also, one

has to be careful not only if they're a child, but an adult as well as far as

strangers are concerned.

Helen

Helen

[Guest guest]

I agree with all of you, that it is hard to understand each person's sensitivity

of many terms, some of which may not be offensive to others, but as parents they

are to us.

I know that when I walk down the street and see someone who surely has been

going through some form of cancer treatment, I know that I nor would it be

acceptable to go up to that person and say " DO YOU HAVE CANCER? " So why does

everyone else think it is perfectly acceptable to ask a parent " IS YOUR CHILD A

DWARF " .

To Laurie Bailyn,

I know where you are coming from with your need to find an answer to people who

stare or ask question. I find it easier to say my son has a bone disorder or

that he is just small. However, to people, ie. friends/family, I feel

comfortable talking about dwarfism, a bone disorder, and my son - Spencer.