Dwarfism Awareness Day

October is Dwarfism Awareness Month and today, October 25th is World Dwarfism Awareness Day. In honor of our Mira Joy, I wanted to share a few things.

Facts about Dwarfism:

· 80% of people with dwarfism are born to average height parents with no history of dwarfism in their families. This means you too could have a child with dwarfism.

· The word “midget” is outdated and offensive. If you didn’t know that, now you do. Don’t use it. Just don’t. It’s ugly and degrading.

· We like the word average, not normal. Example: We are Mira's average height parents...there’s nothing normal about us or abnormal about Mira.

· You can refer to Mira as a little person or as having dwarfism, but really, she just likes to be called by her name.

· Dwarfism is neither an intellectual disability nor a disease that requires a cure. I have no doubt that Mira is smarter than most of us.

· Most types of dwarfism have other medical complications aside from being of short stature; joint, respiratory, vision, spinal, hearing to name a few. 

· There are over 200 different types of dwarfism, Mira's type (Achondroplasia) occurs in 1 in 40,000 births. 

· Achondroplasia is pronounced [ey-kon-druh-pley-zhuh].

Facts about Mira:

· Mira is awesome.

· Mira has had three surgeries and two additional sedated procedures all before the age of 2.

· Mira will be able to do everything you or I do, she may do many of these things in a different way, but we have no doubt, she’ll do them all.

· Mira was born at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and spent 5 days in the NICU. She is NOT, however, an Eagles fan.

· Mira really loves food. Her favorites are bananas, pizza, and of course ice cream. She is also the only other person in our house, who will eat anything her daddy smokes on the grill.

· Mira is very afraid of doctors because of her past experiences, and most of them know to take off their white coats when around her.

· Mira loves music, swimming, bubble baths and her big sister.

If you’ve read down this far then you must be as awesome as Mira. So in honor of our sweet girl, I ask you this: When you see someone who looks different; color, ability, size, shape, doesn’t matter, say hi. Don’t whisper if your kids ask a question, we know you’re talking about us, just encourage your kids to say hello.  We always welcome polite questions that will help educate your kids (and you).

A few reminders:

· Mira doesn’t want her picture taken.

· Mira doesn’t want people to point and stare.

·Mira doesn’t want to be made to feel small just because she’s small.

Please teach your kids that different isn’t bad, it’s just different and makes our world interesting and beautiful.

I’ll advocate every day for you babygirl.

Special thanks to my best bud Lizzy for the awesome shirt! (My Mom Advocates So Hard)