“Dwarves are still the butt of jokes. It’s one of the last bastions of acceptable prejudice,” said “Game of Thrones” actor Peter Dinklage. Catcalls, mocking, gawking, strangers taking photos are only a few of the daily challenges associated with having dwarfism. October is Dwarfism Awareness month.
There are an estimated 30,000 people in the United States and 651,000 internationally with a type of dwarfism. In July 2009, the word “midget” was declared inappropriate and offensive. Little People of America has registered a complaint with the FCC over the use of the “m” word. Our goal is to raise awareness around the offensive impact of the word in order to eliminate the use of it in media, popular culture and in everyday language (resource: lpaonline.org).
The goal of this photo essay is to celebrate diversity and stop the bullying. Here is a glimpse into the lives of the Webster family. The story is told through their own thoughts and experiences. Let's stop pointing fingers and start intertwining them. We hope you will join us by learning and sharing!
More info: stephaniejarstad.com
"Growing up in a family where both my parents are little like me I felt like I fit in pretty well. And then I met the world, and they didn’t have quite the same opinion as me" (Rachel Webster)
“Look at that midget, mommy!” “That’s a little girl over there!” “Is she a baby?” “Why is she SOOOO small?” I was perplexed
"Since then, I have experienced it all. Sexual interrogation. "Hey little momma, wanna come home with me?" Mocking. Ridiculing. "It's a midget!" Yeah, "IT". Dehumanizing"
"I am so lucky to have parents who know exactly what I have been through, because they have experienced it, too. They have seen 1,000 tears."
"Their greatest advice: “Tomorrow is always a new day.” And always, “Everything is going to be okay.” Because, it always is."
"We have the best of both worlds. I’m so grateful to have a son and a daughter; one of each stature. We love them both unconditionally." (Chris Webster)
Artwork by @paigechristensen
"I wait for the day when we can just pass each other on the street and it's just understood that we are all a little bit different."
“In a world populated by diversity, we could all use a lot more understanding.”
These photographs are on display at Northwest University, Kirkland, WA. The images are exhibited at eye level of a little person to add to our statement.
"Being different is what makes us all beautiful and we should praise God for creating us each individually." (Nancy Webster)
