RSS - dwarfism vs. growth disorder

[Guest guest]

I have been reading the posts on which term is appropriate for a child with RSS

-

dwarf, midget, growth disorder, etc. I have always told others my son has a

growth

disorder, and that usually satisfies their curiosity. Even if RSS is a form of

dwarfism, I

agree with Jodi that the term " growth disorder " sounds better than " dwarf " . If

any of

you out there disagree with me, I apologize & I hope I don't offend anyone with

this

post.

My son didn't actually get diagnosed with RSS until he was 9.75 yrs old, but I

used to

get offended when doctors would fill out school forms, stating his diagnosis was

dwarfism. While we may be more educated in different types of dwarfism, I

believe

the general public envisions something different than what our children actually

look

like. For example, if I was talking to a coworker & said my son was a dwarf, I

am sure

he/she would picture him looking like a dwarf with achondroplasia if they never

saw

him before. Although knows he is different from others, I am sure he

doesn't envision himself as being a dwarf either.

I am curious, to any adults out there with RSS, if somebody asked you about RSS

,

would you say you were a dwarf? How would you explain your disorder to them?

Kim

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim...I actually thought the term 'dwarf' was non pc! This is based on a

documentry mostly concerning Achrondraplasics I watched when I was pregnant with

Imogen. As none of my docters could come up with what was the matter with my

unborn baby, based on the scans which were more head than body! I assumed she

was Achon. In the documentary Achondraplsics themselves said they did not like

to be refered to as dwarves ...but just as small people.I like this

definition......it's non offensive and covers all people off short stature

whatever their 'syndrome' or whatever is.

Eileen x

Kacey171 capuano_k@...> wrote:

I have been reading the posts on which term is appropriate for a child with RSS

-

dwarf, midget, growth disorder, etc. I have always told others my son has a

growth

disorder, and that usually satisfies their curiosity. Even if RSS is a form of

dwarfism, I

agree with Jodi that the term " growth disorder " sounds better than " dwarf " . If

any of

you out there disagree with me, I apologize & I hope I don't offend anyone with

this

post.

My son didn't actually get diagnosed with RSS until he was 9.75 yrs old, but I

used to

get offended when doctors would fill out school forms, stating his diagnosis was

dwarfism. While we may be more educated in different types of dwarfism, I

believe

the general public envisions something different than what our children actually

look

like. For example, if I was talking to a coworker & said my son was a dwarf, I

am sure

he/she would picture him looking like a dwarf with achondroplasia if they never

saw

him before. Although knows he is different from others, I am sure he

doesn't envision himself as being a dwarf either.

I am curious, to any adults out there with RSS, if somebody asked you about RSS

,

would you say you were a dwarf? How would you explain your disorder to them?

Kim

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