Hi, I have a form called growth hormone deficiency or growth hormone re- not finishing that it's an offensive and out of date term, but it's a form of proportional dwarfism. I was diagnosed with 2 forms of growth hormone deficiency one from my dad for weight and one for my height from my mom who is 4'9 with the same type of dwrfism as this is the kind that is genetic.

I was platowing when I was in 7th grad I hadn't grown in 3 years and it was becoming concerning for the doctors not surprised by my mom but the state was willing to cover it so we went forward with testing.

For context I was to my moms shoulders ruffly 3'7 - 3'9 and my dad is 6ft but he slouches do to a back injury he acquired when working for a yat building company.

When they had told us that there was medication in testing that they could try to "cure" is the way they put it, I'm still disgusted by the word usage. My parents were a little hesitant but my mom was worried about what my future would be like for me if I'm shorter than she was and she experiences discrimination for being short.

By this time and grade I was beginning to experience more comments about my height and why I wasn't growing by my peers, I never was the tallest person I was usually the shortest but my parents were assuming I might just be a late bloomer like my father, but he was still growing when he was my age at the time and he stopped before getting a growth spurt his senior year.

I went to a kids doctors office, Where they did testing mainly for kids with diabetes and sat in the office for about a whole day while seeing which medicine I wasn't reacting negatively to, I think they had tested 3-4 different types and I threw up about 7-15 times that day because my body was reacting negatively to all but 1.

I then started taking the medicine at the beginning of 8th grade and had to take shots at home everyday, they sent someone to train my mom on how to give me my shots. I was supposed to take them everyday for 2-3 years, but due to untimely circumstances I only ended up taking them for about 3-6 months. I did grow in this time but I also did grow a little afterwards, so by the end of 9th grade I had reached the height I am now which is 5'7.

Years later my mom would be in contact and having conversations with people who had taken the same medication and it was truly sad a lot of them talked about how they wish they didn't take it as they had developed some other things do to taking the medication for the full recommend time, I am sorry but I'm unsure what as I don't like or really tell anyone as most people I've meet don't really believe me when I mentioned I technically still have this form because I look "normal" to them but I would still be normal regardless that's just how I've had it been said to me.

Some other things I would like to mention I still face some aspects of this form of Dwarfism even after taking the medication my bones are still aging slower and are still considered younger then me in their development when I was getting tested the doctors said my bones are 4-3 years younger then me in development. I still have a low hormone count, I have inverted hips which is also common.

I want to add this as well, I didn't want to go through with the shots my fear was mainly why but I also was scared because I was a kid and some days I wish I hadn't because now I have to advocate to doctors to believe me even though they have access to my records, I also can never donate my kidneys or anything really because of it even to other people with my form of dwarfism because I went through with the shots. I also get some questionable comments from family members and while they may be joking as most of us know when you've heard comments about your height your whole life it's just not funny anymore. Being told my parents "paid" for my legs just sounds so undermining my condition and what could have happened if I had continued with the shots. I have people still make comments about my walk and how I run had some pretty rude comments actually but that's not important. I also now don't know if I'm part of the dwarfism community, but I am still the kid of someone who is and I still communicate and have conversations with other people with dwarfism.

My final notes are, I have no idea what the medication out there is like now. I don't consider it a "cure" as I still have other medical things relating to having it but just not the height now. I didn't talk much about the weight one from my dad as I am unsure if that information is important to this subreddit or helpful for people considering the medication for your kids.

If anyone has any questions that they would like to ask, I am more than welcome to answer. I hope you all have a good day.

Boom! I would not give a new drug to a new born. AP's what are you ashamed of?

So, I'm 4'0" and 20 years old, born male and since December of 2025 I've been trying to lose weight. For most of my teen years I was always around the 62-65kg range, which is a normal weight and is comparable to my average height twin sister's weight, however, visibly I am overweight.

I'm now down to around 56.5kg, and while that's a good weight, and for an average height person would even be petite, I'm still not at a weight where I'm happy. I'm making visible progress, but not quite there yet. Looking at other people with dwarfism who are visibly smaller with a more lean body, which is what I'm aiming for, I'm forced to assume they're closer to 50kg or less.

But I wanted to get some direct thoughts from others, since it's quite difficult to find specific weight information for our conditions. For those who are comfortable and may have a body type closer to what I'm working towards, what would you guys say your weights are so that I can maybe at least set a base goal to aim for?

Thanks for the help! :3

Hi all,

My boyfriend is an adult with achondroplasia. He's about 4'5". He has back issues and terrible posture, and he says every single chair he sits in is uncomfortable because his thighs aren't long enough and his feet don't touch the floor. I want to get him a better desk chair. Does anyone have a desk/office chair they recommend?

I'd also like to get him some more stuff to just make him more comfortable in every day life. He is terrible about taking care of himself and isn't very proactive when it comes to getting himself accessibility aids. Do you recommend any sort of additional products to aid around the house or day to day?

Thanks!

I’ve been wanting to write a post on this sub for a while, and today I finally worked up the courage to do so. I am 32 years old, have pituitary dwarfism, and stand 105cm (3'6) tall. I wanted to compare notes with the community to see if you have experienced, or are currently experiencing conflict-ridden relationships with your parents, particularly those of parents in average height. Despite my age, I still live with my mother, largely for financial reasons, but also because she has always exerted a suffocating level of control over me and my life. She often makes decisions for me and imposes her will on me, a dynamic reinforced by the physical difference between us. In the past, to avoid triggering a reaction from her, I always gave in to her wishes; on the rare occasions I tried to stand up to her, I always ended up defeated. This situation is weighing on me more and more as time goes on, and I’d like to read your stories to understand if I’m the only one going through this or if others have faced similar situations. thank you all....

If you’re are an adult what is your experience with the little people of America community and event’s?

(26 year old male with Achondroplasia)
As a child my mom was approached by social workers and many community members to try and get us to join but we never did (my choice). Now as an adult it can kinda seem lonely not being apart of it. I don’t have any friends or anybody with dwarfism around me and although before it never felt like I was missing that, as an adult now I wish I made that effort.

I’m suffering majorly with body dysmorphia due to my dwarfism. I have pituitary dwarfism and get a remark on my looks every single time I leave the house. I get people who think my child’s my brother and my fiance is my father. We just went to the store as a family and the lady bagging our groceries looks at me then my baby and goes “are you even grown?!” I’m sure she didn’t mean for it to sound rude or come across that way but it definitely offended me. It’s just so exhausting emotionally and mentally not being seen as adult or even a parent. I’ve tried it all, makeup, hair, and clothing and the oldest I ever get mistaken for is 17. 😔 anyone else the same boat as me? I just don’t wanna feel alone in all this

Im sorry i don’t feel like providing a backstory for my question😭 but I have heard that people with achondroplasia will rent wheelchairs sometimes, so what types of wheelchairs are usually rented and for what kind of occasions? Or do you ever do this at all??

​I’m writing this without revealing my name, just sharing a piece of my soul that I’ve kept hidden for far too long.

​I am a young man standing at 1.38 meters (about 4'6"). Physical challenges exist, but honestly, they pale in comparison to the psychological weight I carry every single day. The hardest part of my life isn't my height—it's how the world around me reacts to it.

​Where I live, I feel entirely marginalized, invisible, and unwelcomed. Every time I step outside my front door, I become an attraction. People stare, point, and chuckle. It feels like my very presence is treated as a joke. Over time, that constant judgment eroded my confidence to the point where I simply stopped wanting to leave my room. I’ve isolated myself just to shield my peace from the outside world.

​The environment I’m in doesn’t offer me basic emotional safety, proper accessibility, or the space to pursue my real dreams. I don't want much—I just want to walk down a street without feeling like a spectacle. I want to live freely, work hard, and be treated as a human being with ambition, not defined by a physical measurement.

​My biggest dream right now is to build a new life elsewhere—to migrate to a place where diversity is respected, where rights are guaranteed, and where I can actually feel safe and happy. I also deeply wish to connect with a community or people who share a similar path, people who understand what it means to navigate this world from my perspective.

​I’m sharing this because I’m tired of hiding. I want to take control of my story, rebuild my mental strength, and find a path toward a dignified future.

​If anyone here has ever felt like an outsider in their own hometown, or has overcome similar struggles, I’d love to hear your story. How did you find your place in this world?

What tools do people us to help reach stuff when seat belt in and driving because it can be hard to reach for things like updating a gps or pressing a button on the console with getting out of your seatbelt? Anybody have some tips?

Hello my daughter has a new friend who is a little person they are 6. What are some things we should be telling her to do /not do with this new friend. I know the big ones are don’t pick them up and also ask questions not just assume they need help. She can be quite rough with her other friends. So we want to make sure she’s being kind and safe.

I'm an average-height person and my signifcant other has dwarfism. His dwarfism is the only cause of traction between him and my parents. I'd like to ask for advice on how I can go about this with my parents. Thanks!

So I recently moved into student housing, and as most student housing goes it was furnished.

Overall thats not an issue. The issue is the bed frame is fucking tall. Im 4ft8 and the frame+mattress sits at around my belly button. I have to physically climb into my bed.

I know a lot of frames similar to this are adjustable but this one is not and maintenance only gave me the option of removing the frame entirely like that is anymore helpful.

I do have a form of dwarfism (Turner Syndrome). But i do know I am on the taller end of that spectrum so when it comes to asking for legally protected accommodations I have had a bit of a hit or miss history with it.

From my understanding since they provide the original bedframe if it is inaccessible to me it is up to them to get a suitable option weather they have one on hand or not, for context i live in the US so the ADA is in place. But all things considered, yes its annoying but ive been finally getting proper medical attention this past year or so and despite all odds it looks like currently my Turners isnt really affecting most of my body systems yet, including my musculoskeletal which I know would probably be the main concern in a situation like this.

But I do feel like it might be worth it to try and go and push for it? I feel like they shouldn't be using such high and non- adjustable frames in a place where its provided anyway-

So I figured maybe some other folks might have some insights on this and I could better come to a decision on how to proceed.

Hi! I just recently got my first pair of rollerskates and I'd been wanting to actively rollerskate all around my uni campus, but I've run into a few things that were affecting my drills and movements. I'm about 3'11" and 85lbs so my center of gravity, weight distribution, and overall body type is a bit different compared to the people making tutorials lol.

Basically, I've been having trouble with turns (idk if I'm putting enough weight in leans for turns or what) and overall mobility due to the boot ankle support being halfway up my calves.

If there are any fellow rollerskaters with achondroplasia who have advice or tips, please please please lmk!! I'd also love to just connect with y'all ^v^

I have a mild form of dwarfism (i’m like 4’8-4’9) and often have a hard time with clothes but because my specific type is disproportionate and my limbs are a lot shorter than the rest of my body and hands and feet a lot shorter as well certain things are just harder to find and one of those things is shoes. i can get away with sneakers and such because there’s such a variety in what you can get in kids sizes in terms of style and shape but with formal shoes… it’s harder. All the adult sized shoes tend to be too long all the kids sized shoes are too thin or too immature and I just need a pair of shoes I can wear to the office. Pipe dream wide I’d love a pair of versatile heals. Have any of you had any success finding work/office shoes that fit feet that are more short and wide? Where did you find them?

hi all! my boyfriend has GHD and is around 4'7. I'm a larger chick with a lot of mobility issues unrelated to my weight, thank you very much! and as a result we've been really struggling with being intimate. I'm mostly just worried about losing my balance and hurting him. He's pretty skinny & has other shit going on medically speaking, so however small that risk is, the fact there's a risk of him breaking a bone at all if I fall over freaks me out. Does anybody have any product recs that have helped them with their sex lives? Like links on amazon or lovehoney or something, I don't want or need a porno in the comments.

**my wifi SUCKS so if this got double posted that's why.

hi all! my boyfriend has GHD and is around 4'7. I'm a larger chick with a lot of mobility issues unrelated to my weight, thank you very much! and as a result we've been really struggling with being intimate. I'm mostly just worried about losing my balance and hurting him. He's pretty skinny & has other shit going on medically speaking, so however small that risk is, the fact there's a risk of him breaking a bone at all if I fall over freaks me out. Does anybody have any product recs that have helped them with their sex lives? Like I'm talking amazon links here, I don't need a porno.

I (21, F) have achondroplasia, which is the most common form of dwarfism (3,10). No one needed to tell me I was different, because society told me by the way they treated people like me. From Hollywood movies to going to school to wearing clothes, I knew from a very early age that the world was not made for people like me. I would go to the doctor and get advice, and I would be told things about how to manage my weight when there weren't even enough studies on people with dwarfism. I felt alone; I learned to hate myself because I was never gonna be enough according to standards. I would close my eyes and dream of what I could be skinnier and taller, and just think that if I were her, I would be happier and people would understand me more. Watching movies with people with dwarfism, I learned to the outside world, I am merely a spectacle. As I got older, I learned about the history of dwarfism thousands of years of dehumanization, which includes things like P.T. Barnum. During this time, the m word was popularized—originating from the word midge (a tiny biting insect) and used to market short-statured individuals for public amusement and profit. Other events include things like the Ugly Laws or Dwarf Tossing and much, much more. But society today is different, especially from 10 years ago, and with that comes representation, understanding, accountability, and education. How do you think we as a society can grow?

• Feel free to express anything; this is a place of conversation and learning
• It's better to have an uncomfortable question than an ignorant assumption 
• Thank you
• (Also, by sharing my personal life, it isn't to be in a pitying way but to give you an understanding of my background)

I recently got engaged and have been wondering where to even try on wedding dresses having dwarfism. For those who got married where did you find your dress and how did the whole process go?

Hi! I am wandering if there are any parents out there who have a child with dwarfism and did not find out until after birth or even later in infancy/childhood. I would love to hear your stories as I am curious about my own little girl.
I currently have a 6 month old who is happy and healthy! To the naked eye you would not think anything of her. Prenatally she was followed closely on ultrasound due to her long bones measuring very short, 1% tile. They noticed no other features that aligned with achondroplasia or any other type of skeletal dysplasia. The doctor thought that her short long bones may be an isolated finding and that she just might be a short girl.
Well now at 6 months I am starting to wander. To me, her extremities look very short, she went from 40th percentile to now 5th in height, and some of her facial features like her forehead and nose make me question.At the end of the day, the diagnosis does not matter. I just want her to be happy and healthy. But I want to know for her sake and the resources she might need down the road. I want to be proactive, but it’s hard when there are no definitive findings with her at this current point. It seems like only time will tell but it is hard for me to just sit around and see how she grows.
Would appreciate any and all information/advice/personal stories! Thanks.

Hello, I have achondroplasia (not sure on what precise type) and I am finding it hard to see a bright future for myself. My grades at college were great and im heading to university but every so often I keep reiterating the purpose to exist in such a cruel world. It may come across as young anxiety but I have always been feeling like people are pointing or laughing or creating comments about me (and us) and its just getting to my head, and I keep realising that this is permanent, as humans are pretty silly nowadays. Children are worse, ive had it twice this year where ive been remarked as “little boy” or taunted at which frustrated me to extreme measures as I cant do anything back due to legal reasons; I remember one so well unfortunately, he was walking past me and he said “little little boy” but when he saw my face he went dead silent.

Anyway, thats all a rant but I just wanted to ask how people continue to exist with peace or happiness, I know of a friend who tackles it through therapy and one who smiles it off but I just fear that I wont be able to live an uninvaded and peaceful life.

(Super duper sorry, I dont know whether this is okay for reddit, this is just me getting stuff off my chest)

I have identical twin nephews with achondroplasia (3yro) and we are planning to work with another LP in the community to put on educational event for dwarfism awareness month coming up. Was curious if anyone had any creative ideas that aren’t just a straight lecture format that would be engaging and informative for adults and children?

i’m a 53 yo with Escobar syndrome, i’m 4’6” & 63 lbs.( I have a GI condition unrelated to the “disability” that makes eating a pain in the butt, I’m very thin but don’t worry I’m under a dr’s care and a nutritionist) because I don’t have achondroplasia I’ve never joined LPA because I thought I wouldn’t be accepted…? I’ve never had a friend near my size and really wish I did. I don’t feel like I’m taken seriously by average sized folk. My husband is 5’1” so I’m very lucky to have found him. Anywho, do you think I should join? I have all kinds of mobility issues, buying clothes is so hard and I just want friends who “get it”.”