A lot of the problems that comes with being short stature are, for the most part, invisible. People – regardless if they are of average height or have another disability tend to have the mindset that the only problem we have is the fact that we are small and might have trouble reaching things.

Well, that’s kind of just the start of it.

There’s the inability to buy and wear an item of clothing straight off the peg without it requiring some sort of alteration. Not being able test drive a car, because we can’t see over the dashboard without a cushion or two first. The regular pain in our joints that is one of the predominant health problems prevalent in people of restricted growth.

That’s the physical stuff – but there is also the social difficulties people with restricted growth face on a daily basis. We tend to generate a great deal of attention from people, children, grandmothers and other special people.

How?

Stares. I cannot walk down the street without getting a second look.

Second, there are also times when meeting new people that I will be talked to through my friends as people tend to automatically chat to people at their own eye-level. Very frustrating!

So as a bit of a guide, I’ve put together my top 3 things you shouldn’t do to a person of restricted growth over the next few blog posts.