October 25 marks the World Day of Short People, which began in 2013 in Mexico
This October 25, short people shout at the top of their lungs that they exist, that they are bigger than their height and that many of them have incredible abilities that inspire and leave a great mark on the lives of others.
Today marks the recognition of the right to social inclusion, equality and respect for the human rights of people who have the disorder called dwarfism, which produces disproportionately short stature.
Although some of the people living with the condition of dwarfism receive the unconditional support of their family and friends, the majority face discrimination ranging from human groups, through work and school limitations, and even the way in which they are built the cities: without thinking about them.
Faced with these barriers, Rocío de Jesús Durán, who was born with the condition of short stature, has become the spokesperson for people living with this condition in the Dominican Republic.
Despite the indifferent looks of many and the Dominican State, the 28-year-old girl studied a degree in School Psychology, also has a master’s degree in Educational Psychology, and currently works as a psychologist at a basic school in the Monte Plata province , where she comes from.
The young woman has not only thought about her personal development. She has been developing the “Little People of the RD” project, which consists of contacting citizens of the Dominican Republic who have a condition of small stature and sharing inspiring stories through talks, campaigns, national and international conferences, as well as through networks. social.
Rocío de Jesús Durán spoke with elCaribe and spoke of the meaning that October 25 has for them: World Day for People with Short Stature; the limitations they face in society; and the initiatives that it is executing through the “Personas Pequenas de RD” project, to help this segment of the population.
October 25: World Day of People with Short Stature
The date was chosen in honor of American actor William John Bertanzetti, better known as Billy Barty, one of the first to work for the rights of short people.
“For us it means a day when we can identify our condition; that people can learn more, because there is little information about the subject; also promote the rights and accessibility of people with dwarfism”, said Rocío.
The biggest challenge: mockery
For the defender of small-sized people in the country, the greatest challenge that a citizen with the condition has is to face a society that when they see them in the streets does not have the slightest discretion or respect to point them out, they make fun of them and even in many cases they even photograph them.
He argued that short people are used as an attraction in theaters, resorts and other entertainment centers, so that through their unusual size they entertain the consumer.
The young De Jesús Durán assures that “in the end, what the person ends up with is making fun of those of us who have the condition, and we are more than our heights.”
The barriers: school, work and health
People with disabilities face different obstacles and barriers that hinder their quality of life. Rocío says that in the case of those who are short, entering school and the labor market costs them a little more.
“There are some who have learning difficulties due to the very fact of the condition, because they have larger heads and that causes fluid, so some adaptations would have to be made in the curricular area, and in that sense the educational system is not prepared” explained Rocío de Jesús.
In the field of health, those who have the condition collide with different problems. According to Rocío, there are children with the condition who already at the age of 12 have undergone 10 surgeries for health problems such as delays in the development of motor skills (sitting, crawling or walking), among other health conditions. De Jesús Durán provides more information on his Facebook page and on Instagram @personapequeñasrd.
“Little People of the Dominican Republic”
Despite the challenges that life presents to short people, Rocío has been able to face the vicissitudes and was very clear that her short stature does not make her less important, because it is more than her size.
The forerunner of the “Little People of the DR” project, narrates that this initiative stems from the international meetings it has held with small organizations, such as the Little People of America (LPA). “My main objective is to create an association that allows us to raise awareness in society; that people can know the condition; and that respect and social inclusion be promoted so that we are not valued for size, ”she said.
Nine facts you need to know
- The word “dwarf” is declared inappropriate and offensive.
- They prefer to be called short, petite, short, or just by their first name.
- Dwarfism is not a disease, but a condition caused by a genetic change.
- The Dominican Republic does not have accurate data on the number of people in the country with the condition.
- The lack of statistics prevents the development of indicators focused on improving the lives of these people.
- It is estimated that there are more than 300 types of dwarfism. Achondroplasia is the most frequent form.
- The average height of an adult with dwarfism is 4 feet 10 inches.
- If a person with the condition procreates with someone who does not have the condition, the chance is 50%. If both have the condition, it’s 75%.
- It is estimated that internationally there are 651 thousand people with the condition.
