Being Short

Yep.  I’m short.  I’m 4’ 10 1/2ish”.  And I’ve been that height since I was about 12.  I’m used to it.  My family and friends are used to it.  They tease me sometimes, and I laugh.  I even tease myself.  If you tease me a little bit, I see it as a mark that you are a true friend and comfortable around me.

I’ve had every nickname under the sun:  Small fry, munchkin, short stuff.  My dad’s personal favorite is shotgun—you know, because I’m 410.  The one name that I do not approve of is midget.  And pleeeeease do not use me as an armrest just because I’m a good height for it.  It’s not really funny.  If you do it, I’ll probably jab you in the ribs.  Or kick you in the shins—you know, because I’m the perfect height to do that.

(I always stand on my toes for pictures, even though it doesn't make much of a difference)

I have an excuse for my height, which somehow appeases me.  I have scoliosis, and when I was an infant I was diagnosed with failure to thrive.  My spine is still crooked, but I’m thriving just fine now.  If I didn’t have these problems, I would be 5’4” just like my identical twin sister.  I am not a “little person” as people with dwarfism like to be called.  I do not qualify for a handicapped parking sticker, and I don’t want one.

I do not think that I’m cuter than tall people, and I get somewhat annoyed when other short people think that they are exceptionally cute just because of their height.  I’ve acted my whole life like a typical person, and I believe whole-heartedly that I am…  Even though I have to sit on a pillow when I drive, which I don’t mind at all (for the record) because I like to be able to see everything when I drive.  Hey, we all have differences, right?

Tall people should know:

Please don’t bend down to hear a short person better.  I don’t like it when people put their ears in my face, and it makes me feel like a child.

Please don’t cast your eyes down at me.  I bend my neck to look up, and it would be nice if you would bend your neck to look down at me.  It just feels more respectful and more natural.

I might be short, but I'm just as capable as anyone else.  I can do everything that tall people can do.  I even get to use a little more creativity and ingenuity while doing it.  I'm very good at climbing on counters and using chairs to reach high places.  Life is great down here!