Being a little person isn’t easy and it sure isn’t a fairy tale, but sometimes the world’s reaction to little people is hilarious. This blog documents the strange attention I receive while living my somewhat normal life.
Being a little person isn’t easy and it sure isn’t a fairy tale, but sometimes the world’s reaction to little people is hilarious. This blog documents the strange attention I receive while living my somewhat normal life.
Cara, I’d love to talk w/ you about Betty B., the wonderful woman who took care of us both (at different times) when we were young. I’m also from (and still in) St. L. Thanks!
Hi Cara, I just read your CNN article. I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your story. It’s always really amazing to read about the different struggles people face and how they overcome them.
Thank you so much!
How about wearing a camera to record the people who are bothering you? When they refuse to be photographed you could ask them why? And then maybe they would see that getting attention at the expense of others just makes them a jerk. Besides, if you put the film on your website, it would be like making fun of them, making fun of you. It’s a little like turning the tables on them.
Cara, you are a beautiful young lady…no matter what your size! I admire your spunk! You have a beautiful heart and soul! Ignore the people who are so insinsitive, smile your beautiful smile, and enjoy your life! You go girl!
Cara, I am not a dwarf, but I am a person of short stature and my daughter is even smaller than I. My particular challenge is being a biracial person who “passes” for white. All was fine as long as I was willing to do that. Once I “came out” as biracial the hostility on all sides was obvious. I feel for your challenges and applaud your success! Hold your head high (as only we smaller people can)!
Cara thanks for sharing. My Mom has achondroplastic dwarfism ( my sister and I are of average height) and she’s in her 70’s. She’s got a huge personality and I amazed at how she has handled all the challenges throughout her lifetime. Years ago at the Muny here in St. Louis, a well dressed but clueless elderly woman asked her how she could see the stage from her seat! We laughed and laughed and laughed. Mom’s got a great sense of humor.
Hi Cara, I just read your article on CNN (“My life as a little person” and I have a question. You tell people not to call you a midget as the term (I presume) is pejorative. Then you say “it’s called dwarfism”. So, is it OK to refer to a little person as a dwarf? If not, would one simply say “You’re a little person” (even though it’s obvious)
josef
Hello, Cara. I read your most recent article on CNN just now and I wanted to comment on the following: “Do they say “this male autistic” or “this female cerebral palsy”?” Unfortunately, this is not true. When I was 15, my parents forced me to go to therapy because they were afraid I was suicidal but couldn’t bring themselves to talk to me about the issues that were making me that way. So, they forced me to go to a therapist who was supposedly versed in “disability issues”. On the second day of my “therapy” he told me: “You should meet our receptionist – she’s a Mobile CP just like you!” I wanted to say: “You should meet my uncle – he’s a Melanin-Deficient Alopeciac just like you!”. I have had doctors stop me and ask me (while I was visiting my mother in the Cancer ward): “So, what’s WRONG with you, anyway? I saw you limp in here, I can’t figure it out, and it’s driving me crazy.” I wish it weren’t true but, human nature being what it is, if you’re different, your’re a target of idiocy and prejudice. The people who gave me the worst time were actually members of my family. My mom saw me as a cripple (and nothing more) until the day she died.
great article in cnn today!
Cara, I commend your courage and accomplishments. Your CNN article hit hard.
Thank you so much. You set a high bar!
Cara, your CNN piece was beautifully written and very poignant. It lent itself to lots of introspection. I used to see the awkwardness of people who would meet my brother with Down syndrome and know how I tried to make them comfortable with Steve, my hero. Here’s my question and it may seem insignificant. I’m a person who is barely five feet tall. I notice that people “adjust” themselves when they greet me. I’m guessing that you get much of this, as well. Though I’ve only known a few little people, I’ve always wondered about the best way to approach them. Should one maintain posture and extend a hand or “adjust” to the other persons stature? I personally have felt awkward when others have stooped down to greet me. I hope it’s not rude to ask this.
Loved your CNN article. It got me pretty pissed at “normal” people. Anyway, I’m a semipro photographer and was really intrigued to know how your stature influences your perspective/artistic preferences as a photographer.
Hugs and Blessings to You! You are Brave and Beautiful!
I was wondering the same thing as JBLUE7 with a follow-up question. As a man of average height, I suppose I have a certain visual perspective of the world around me. Do you think your height affects the way you see things? Do you see things that other people might not see of notice? I’m afraid I’m one of those people who notice when a “little person” is in the room; I notice then go on about my busniess. I can’t imagine ever laughing unless the person says or does something meant to be funny. That’s just rude — to anyone.
I am so excited to have discovered your blog today. I am 4’6″ (rounding up! ;-)) due to a genetic disorder called Turner Syndrome. Despite our different situations, I can relate to many of the challenges you have been/are facing. Thank you for your courage for making your experiences so public.
Cara — thanks very much for your article. With incredibly strong writing skills and three degrees (note: none in ‘administrative assistant-ing’), I hope you have a sky-high future at CNN!
Cara – Thank you for this wonderful article – it really made me smile! You sure do have a big personality and I love the way you handle your challenges with great responses. You got it!
CARA! I have saved your blog now…..your stories are sad (people are stupid) and hysterical (people are stupid) but you handle with grace and class! You kick ass!!
Cara,thanks for sharing your story.
God Bless You.
Thank you so much for your blog and the story on CNN! Sending you love and blessings!
Thanks for the great article in CNN. It was both moving and inspirational. I love your candor and sense of humor. You maybe small but you are big where it counts. If only more people had your character.
Hi Cara. In your CNN article you mentioned your study of photography. Do you still take photos? If so, I would be interested in seeing some of your work. Thanks and hope you are well!
Cara your article has moved me this morning, raising an African-American son who also has dwarfism. As a mother, I continue to worry how my son will internalize his difference compared to his siblings and society, and my pray is that he is strong and proud of who he is. I respect your honesty and love your writing. I look forward to following your blog.
Glad to meet you here, and to read some of your blog posts. I would like to introduce you to some of my work, which I think may be of interest to you. I am working with a small group in the Fashion/Garment Industry to encourage them to start to create purpose designed Fashions for the many Individuals that the current Fashion Industry is not serving. Casual, formal, professional office or athletic clothing, garments for all lifestyle choices. Would love to chat with you about your thoughts on the current offerings by the Fashion/Garment Industry.
What a wonderful idea, Ruth. Challenged people should be able to look as smart as everybody else. and not have to resort to the children’s dept. I’m 4’8″, and when I was job hunting I realized I had to have suits to go to interviews. I don’t have an easy figure, and ready-made suits just were not proportioned for me. I found a wonderful Italian lady, plump like me, who made a number of lovely suits for me, and I had a very nice corporate look.
Hi Cara, thank you for a very well written article!! Reading the article only highlights the fact that you are an educated, adventurous, courageous and intelligent woman. The challenges you have experienced are very real, and have stretched the boundaries of human emotional experience. However, the ultimate outcome is a gem like shining personality, than can only be achieved when mind is galvanized by these experiences. I apologize on behalf of all the insensitive people you have encountered in your life. I hope you know it’s a reflection of their ignorance, prejudices, inadequacies and limited understanding of the meaning of human experience. Keep shining!!
Cara, I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your article on CNN. My brother was a little person, as are his widow and their two girls. Like your brother, I always defended him and my daughter does the same with her cousins. I wish more people understood that everyone faces their own challenges and that we should never ridicule what we don’t understand.
Thanks so much! It would be nice if empathy was universal. Hopefully we are moving in the right direction.
Thank you for being you, Cara. I very much enjoyed reading your article. Very well written, funny, and inspiring! Wish I was in NY, so we could grab a coffee and chit chat.
So this morning, I’m reading my Facebook Newsfeed and in a status update from Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, I see a Smart Girl from my past. Cara Reedy, I was your RA in Mertz Hall many years ago, and I found you then to be an intelligent, funny, sassy, strong woman with a larger-than-life personality. And there you are writing for CNN today, demonstrating those same traits I remember in the 18-year-old Cara I knew.
Jill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How are you?
I am great! Are you great? You look and “sound” great! 😀 I cannot begin to tell you how seeing your photo on my newsfeed this morning made me smile. I immediately reposted it and tagged some of my Mertz friends. “Do you guys remember Cara! Look! It’s Cara!”
Hello,
I do understand your feelings;but, I am guilty of looking at small people;but, not to laugh at anyone. I am a tall large lady and have been joked about since childhood. I have been curious about different types of everything all of my life. But, please forgive me; because, I did not realize even me have been insensitive. For those people who laughed at others; have not been taught any better. I glad you have achieve what a lot of normal size do not want to do -complete school. Congratulations, Miss Lady and keep being strong.
peace cara, i’ve seen you on the A train in the mornings for years. my impression of you has been that you seem to be pretty fierce and dynamic, and with a nice sense of style (and cool hair). it’s really nice to hear about your life from your perspective. thanks for sharing your story.
I read that you’re a photographer and was wondering if you post your pictures anywhere. Most of the people I follow on instagram are European or Asian. I would love to see a New Yorker’s perspective.
I am horrible about posting my work. I need to get better at it and use my instagram account.
Hey Cara, I would love to share experiences as I’m a little person who lives in NYC as well. Let me know if your schedule permits for a coffee or something.
Hey Becky, can you twitter direct message me your email address and I will email you back?
I would like to invite both of you to learn about the work Fashion Moves is starting to do. Encouraging Designers to create stylish, purpose designed garments for ALL people and ALL sizes.
How wonderful! I’ve often wondered if there was a resource for little people so they don’t have to resort to children’s clothes. I’m short, 4’8″ and plump and couldn’t find ready-made suits. I had a wonderful dressmaker who made a number of suits for me and I had quite a nice corporate look.