Reflecting On Dwarfism Awareness Month
As October draws to a close, I wanted to take this time to reflect on dwarfism awareness month. In years past I had posted every day on my Instagram account, speaking a simple truth about being a little person in an average sized world. Now, with this blog as my platform, I do that on a weekly basis (or at least try to). But, that was never my intention when writing my first blog entry.
Always Looking Up started as a fashion-focused blog whose purpose was to (hopefully) raise awareness for accessible design in the fashion industry. I have always wanted to pursue little people's fashion and this was my path in doing so. I critiqued fashion week fashion, highlighting my favorite looks and noting what could be altered for a little person's body. I wrote about my struggles and successes with finding the perfect pair of jeans. With each post I became more and more sure of myself, yet, I must confess, I still feel nervous every time I press publish.
Why is dwarfism awareness month so important? Because, despite passage of the ADA 30 years ago, the world is still largely inaccessible and ignorant.
The m-word is still prevalent- there is midget football and midget wrestling; midgets are school mascots; even Tootsie roll has a brand of candy called “midgees”...and people don’t seem to care that the m-word is derogatory. Call me a dwarf or call me a little person. Actually, better yet…
call me Jillian.
In regards to inaccessibility, let me tell you two stories. This past week, my family and I drove to Florida for my cousin’s wedding. I brought hand sanitizer with me, knowing the soap and/or sink will almost always be too far away. At most hotels, I’m prepared to not be able to reach the toiletries or sink or see myself in the mirror. I’ll use a stool or, if one isn’t available, a chair (or I’ll give myself a running start and climb onto the counter). What I wasn’t prepared for was the discovery of the lack of an elevator at a popular beach hotel. This hotel is known for its outdoor entertainment, which is a huge draw for its customers both staying at the hotel and those customers enjoying the live music for the evening. Yes, the hotel was built prior to the ADA, but that doesn’t mean one couldn’t have been added later on. Granted, I can walk up and down a flight of stairs, but there are people with dwarfism and with disabilities who can’t.
The second story I want to tell happened back in February. I went to see a show for work. At intermission, I found an usher and asked where the handicap bathroom was. To my complete and utter shock, I was told there wasn’t one. He seemed confused that I would even ask. I took a deep breath and told him there had to be one which seemed to confuse him more. He referred me to a co-worker who told me the handicap bathroom was in another building across the street...four floors up. I asked how that was okay, how that was possible, and was given no answer. What I should have done was gone to the bathroom, but insisted they don’t start the show until I was back and to explain why there was a delay...what I did was sit and wait until the end of the show to use the bathroom.
Let me say it again: dwarfism awareness month is important because the world remains ignorant and inaccessible. It is why I wear green on October 25, why I write these blog posts. Height is just a number, not a limit, and it is time for the world to see it.
