5 tips for a Parent of a curious child

You're out and about and your child notices someone who looks a little different- Maybe they're in a wheelchair, maybe they're missing a limb... Maybe they're really small... or tall, whatever it is, it's understandable for a child of any age to be curious. Even as adults we may be curious too, but for children, the curiosity is much bigger- and it's how we respond to this curiosity that will shape the people they become.  You may not know all the answers to the questions they ask, and that's ok, you're not expected to know why I am short, or why someone else may look different but even without knowing the finer details, you can still make sure that your child sees our differences as a positive thing.....

Here are 5 of my top tips for parents of curious children.

1. A good thing to include in your responses is "Everyone is different" Make sure that they know that EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, not just the person they are questioning about. This could be size, hair colour, eye colour... Anything. Teach them about even the smallest of differences, this will help them to process the bigger ones.

2. Be Specific! "She has Dwarfism" This is easier with an older child, but sometimes it's ok to use words they don't understand, it will most likely spark new questions but it will only help them grow and develop more. Don't try and sugar coat or tiptoe round any disabilities, embrace them. This will encourage your child to do the same.

Follow your dream- International Dance Day💛

Two years ago I would've never have had the courage to perform. The thought of putting myself out there filled me with dread. However, now there's nothing in the world I love more....and that's thanks to the people who stand beside me for believing in me so much so that I started to believe in myself.

Dance and dwarfism doesn't always see eye to eye, some days it hurts. A lot. And some days I struggle to keep up... But still... I keep going and it is not my body that pulls me through but instead.. my passion and adrenaline. And despite knowing I am not the best... I know I am doing my best.

Finding out I wasn't alone...

Up until I was 13 years old I was the only little person in my world, I was born to average height parents and was the first one in my family to develop the condition, so yeah, it was just me. I was the only one. By the age of 6 all my friends began to tower over me. I remember coming home and asking the question, the question my mum had been dreading- Why?

It was hard to understand at first but as I got older my understanding grew but my ability to deal with it didn't. I was very lucky to have such amazing friends throughout my school years, who stuck by me through some of my toughest times- and honestly, I don't know where I'd be without them, but after I started secondary school the reality of being the small one soon kicked it, and it was becoming harder to deal as each week passed. I had so many questions, hormones had hit and I was starting to question my future. Getting a job, learning to drive, going to college, starting a family... all the things that every teenage girl dreams of- I didn't know if these things would even be possible for me.

When I hit 13, I began to stop talking about these things, or about my feelings, or about well anything... I wasn't sure that anyone really understood, It was hard, when so many people are trying to help you and trying to tell you what they think you wanna hear but really all that's going through your mind is "you'll never know""you'll never know what it's like" and I was right they wouldn't. I had so many people around me who loved and adored me and had only my best interests at heart- but still, when they told me it would be ok, they couldn't be sure.

Dwarfism- THE FACTS

If you can spare 1 minute today please use it to watch this video, then if you can spare another minute use it to share it with your friends and help spread Dwarfism awareness #EducationIsEverything

Dear Dwarfism... a letter to my condition

Dear Dwarfism.... 

You test me every day. You reduce me to tears, fill me with anger, make me weak, make me tired...It's not fair you know... how hard you make somethings. Even the simplest of things. Why is it all my friends do things with such ease... yet you burden me with such struggle and pain. Why me? Why not them?