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Dwarf? Midget? What am I?

Hi, I've got a question.

I'm going to be 19 years old in August and I am currently 4'9'' 1/2. My doctor says I'm done growing and probably won't reach 5ft anytime in my life. However, my doctor nor my mother have ever mentioned anything medical behind this, i.e any type of dwarfism (I am proportionate, so midget doesn't work either). I do have a great aunt who is 4'7'', and an uncle who is 5ft. So that side of the family does run short, it looks like. So, what am I? Just... short? Is it incorrect to call myself a midget because I am just.. short? I don't have any diseases or disorders or anything like that, I just.. didn't grow. My 15 year old sister topples over me at 5ft, even when she was 13-14 at 4'11'' she stood well above me. Both my parents are of normal height as well. I just don't understand it, why am I so short?

I'm confused. I feel torn between two things. You'd think something as simple as height wouldn't upset a peson so much, but it does. I don't "fit in" with other little people, because I don't have a medical reason for being so short. I feel like an outsider, I don't feel welcome. I don't fit in with regular people because I'm so short, and they just make fun of me, since I don't have any diseases or disorders as to why I'm this short. They intimidate me.

I mean, I'm sure if I really was a midget/dwarf/whatever, my doctor would have said something right? I don't know what to do.
11 Responses
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Avatar universal
I am 38 and 4'4" tall. So before I give you my answer (again, MY answer. I'm not a doctor or an expert. Just a fellow petite adult). Please stop and think. When you think midget or dwarf, you are coming at it with presumptions and opinions. For example. Weight. Weight isn't ugly. But a lot of people incorrectly correlate weight with beauty, when really it should be with health. You can be curvy and be healthy. You can be thin and be healthy. Same with both and unhealthy. You seem like a bright young man. Don't define yourself needlessly.
That being said. Dwarfism is a medical condition. It's more than height. There are chromosome issues there. It physically affects proportion. Some people incorrectly assume that a person with Dwarfism is automatically mentally challenged. That is incorrect. (I am physically challenged, and people assume mental deficiency often. Ignorance abounds) I do, however, consider myself a midget.
If you want either title, you are most associated with midgets. Midget is not a medical term. Midgets really are just "short people who are fully grown". Since it's not an official diagnosis, you can look it up to your hearts content. Some say it's 4'9" and under. Some say 4'8", some say for 4'6". why the variations? because again. It's a descriptive opinion. So as some other said. You are a petite person. That is really what a midget is. Some people have negative reactions to the word, if you do, don't claim it. I personally don't. I am short, I am disabled. These are words to describe some attributes but they don't own me. I own them. You don't determine your height, but you do determine your character and what you focus on :)  Go to a doctor and he/she can diagnose you if you want to be. But I truly believe you are fine. Just short. It happens. Doesn't make you less of a man.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hey guys I'm almost 20,have a low IQ & I'm 4'8 also started puberty at 8 & 9 is all that a form of dwarfism?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Im 19 and 4'9 .. i just got a normal body and my hands and limbs and face is normal too . My boyfriend's mom told me that im a drawft and i shouldn't even dream of being with him . Honestly I feel like to kill myself rn :'(
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Hi Kay, I’m 4’7 and 33 years old! Please don’t kill yourself life is good -you’re ok! If I can live a good life at this height for all these years then so can you!
Avatar universal
Sorry for typos.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Not all people with PSS (proportionate dwarfism) have low IQ. There are possibly hundreds of PSS types and it could be likely to have a scientifically known genetic condition that is undectectable under genetic testing. I have been diagnosed with PSS and others say I am highly intelligent. Keep in mind that people with PSS and DSS (disproportionate dwarfism) can grow up to 5 feet without any growth hormone treatments or leg lengthening. Also keep in mind that short stature is synonymous with dwarfism in the medical field because both terms signify not only shortness, but shortness in extremes.

Dwarfism types are not always genetic. PSS could be due to acquired diseases such as IBD and malnutrition. One with PSS or DSS may not even know the cause despite having efficient healthcare. There is sexism tied to the SS diagnosis because some pros are more reluctant to pinpoint SS in the male sex rather than the female sex.

The term midget is widely unacceptable. I'm 20 and 56-57 inches. However, I probably cannot compare my social experiences with heightism to some who is 46-47 inches. That being said, I likely understand why you don't feel you don't 'fit in' with other little people since the average little person is slightly over four feet. Most have Achondroplasia, but I suppose a 'untreated' person that is 5 feet (the height limit of Achondroplasia, at least) would have less stigma based on its height. Others may tell that person that its not a 'dwarf', despite the fact that it is.  

Bottom line: love yourself. If someone thinks you're subhuman because of your  height, that's their problem, not yours. If you yourself think you're subhuman because of your height, you need counseling. Dwarfism itself is not disease.  An endocrinologist might determine your cause of dwarfism. If you cannot afford one, you may ask your primary Dr his interpretation of your SS cause ased on your medical history papers. Finding a definite cause of SS may or may not help you gain perceptual security with your height.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Not all people with PSS (proportionate dwarfism) have low IQ. There are possibly hundreds of PSS types and it could be likely to have a scientifically known genetic condition that is undectectable under genetic testing. I have been diagnosed with PSS and others say I am highly intelligent. Keep in mind that people with PSS and DSS (disproportionate dwarfism) can grow up to 5 feet without any growth hormone treatments or leg lengthening. Also keep in mind that short stature is synonymous with dwarfism in the medical field because both terms signify not only shortness, but shortness in extremes.

Dwarfism types are not always genetic. PSS could be due to acquired diseases such as IBD and malnutrition. One with PSS or DSS may not even know the cause despite having efficient healthcare. There is sexism tied to the SS diagnosis because some pros are more reluctant to pinpoint SS in the male sex rather than the female sex.

The term midget is widely unacceptable. I'm 20 and 56-57 inches. However, I probably cannot compare my social experiences with heightism to some who is 46-47 inches. That being said, I likely understand why you don't feel you don't 'fit in' with other little people since the average little person is slightly over four feet. Most have Achondroplasia, but I suppose a 'untreated' person that is 5 feet (the height limit of Achondroplasia, at least) would have less stigma based on its height. Others may tell that person that its not a 'dwarf', despite the fact that it is.  

Bottom line: love yourself. If someone thinks you're subhuman because of your  height, that's their problem, not yours. If you yourself think you're subhuman because of your height, you need counseling. Dwarfism itself is not disease.  An endocrinologist might determine your cause of dwarfism. If you cannot afford one, you may ask your primary Dr his interpretation of your SS cause ased on your medical history papers. Finding a definite cause of SS may or may not help you gain perceptual security with your height.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi jade. gaining weight is normal for growth, if you are still 75 pounds in your adulthood then you are under-weight even for your height. and if you are worried that you may have proportionate dwarfism, i can tell you that you don't. your are able to remember the characteristics of disproportionate dwarfism and this doesn't seem like an intelletual disability (a characteristic of proportionate dwarfism) to me; and if you start puberty around the normal age range then you definitely don't have dwarfism.
Your body doesn't define you unless you allow it to dictate your life
cheers from a 4'9', 17 yr old fellow shorty
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi im 17 and in about 4ft7 and i think i have dwarfism i dnt have any large head or any limb problems no carliflower ears and flattended nose i am normal short person with a normal face like a average size person im very small last time i check i was about 75 pounds it was about 3 months ago my fingers are short and my foot are fat and small i wear size 3 ,4,5 sometimes six i wear kids clothes junior clothes but i can wear asian women size clothing bascially im gaining weight but im not growing taller please help me
Helpful - 0
535822 tn?1443976780
People will like you or not for who you are at least the people worth bothering with will,There are also a ton of super duper high heels out there ,you can wear them and lift you height a lot it will sail you by your sister at 5 ft, Its probably genetic, dont worry concentrate on the nice and great things about yourself.
Helpful - 0
556571 tn?1215628152
April2 is right.  Like you mentioned, short height is not the only thing that qualifies someone as a dwarf.

I always felt awkward being girl that was taller than all the guys.  We just have to embrace our height!    
Helpful - 0
203342 tn?1328737207
You are not a midget or dwarf. You are just small in stature. I don't think you need to worry about it.
Helpful - 0
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