'Dwarfism meet-ups help boost self-confidence'

A mother and daughter who live with dwarfism say a charity that organises meet-ups with people of the same height makes a huge difference to their lives.

Rosie, 13, and her mum Hilary, from South Gloucestershire, say the gatherings, ran by charity Little People, allow them to meet people who are the same height and share their experiences.

The charity, co-founded by actor Warwick Davis in 2012, is able to run its sessions partly thanks to funding from Children in Need.

Talking about the group, Hilary said: "For her, it really helps her self-confidence, having someone of that age to talk to that's looking ahead and seeing what's in front of them, like driving, university."

Although their height causes some issues, such as difficulty reaching things and backache, Rosie said she likes to "think of the positives in life".

"Most things I can do, but some things I can't do like rollercoasters," she said.

The charity host two national gatherings a year, which Hilary describe as a big support for her daughter.

"I think it really helps people like Rosie's age group because that's perhaps the age when you're finding it a little bit harder in some respects," she added.

Rosie has been attending the gatherings since she was three years old.

"When you go there, you see loads of different people and they're also the same height as you, so you can just see people in the eyes rather than looking up and talking to them like that," said Rosie.

"It gives you a little bit of a break and they can tell you about their life and certain things they might use to help them reach stuff."

It is estimated that about 5,000 people in the UK live with dwarfism according to Little People, and about 80% of people with dwarfism are born to average height parents.

Dwarfism is generally defined as an adult height of 4ft 10in (1.2 metres) or less due to a genetic or medical condition.

Hilary is 3ft 3in ( 1 metre) and her husband Glyn is average height, but due to his spina bifida, a spinal cord impairment, he is 4ft 11in (1.5 metres).

The parents were told there was a 50/50 chance that their children would be average height.

At 19 weeks, they found out that Rosie had spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED), which is a form of dwarfism.

Two years later, they had their daughter Tilly who is average height and is currently 4ft 10in.

The family said they were grateful for the advice and support they have received from attending Little People events.

"It's a really good charity that offers a lot of advice," said Hilary.

"It also gives advice to parents that might have a baby that's small. And it helps to see people like us doing things that everybody else does.

"It's a really positive environment when you go."

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