At 12 years old, I made a decision. A very personal one. One I started talking about when I was only seven and I made up my mind based on hope, independence, functionality and determination.

The very moment I said YES to limb lengthening, my own community said NO to me. A group of people all living with a condition the same as or similar to mine who also wanted the rest of society to see them just as they were/are — human.

Adults with #dwarfism told me, as a child, “Shame on you.”
“My opinion is this: God put us on this earth the way he wanted us to be. Just because you don’t fit in easily, not to say you don’t, with the average sized world, does not mean you should go through the pain, suffering and surgery to fit in. It’s like half the stuff in the world; it might look good, but what do you want to do or give up to get it? Don’t mess with nature, because if you do, you’re going to lose the battle anyway. Nature will always win.”

Statements like that from complete strangers who clearly took my personal decision personally, were the sticks of dynamite I started stashing away. It was only a matter of time before they all exploded in a big way.

Here we are, twenty six years to the day that I had my very first #limblengthening procedure and all of the volatile words, misinformation and beliefs along with my own hopes and dreams have been put into action. My own little stash of dynamite putting a new spin on diversity.

The @littlelegs.bigheart.foundation a place where everyBODY with skeletal dysplasia can live life beyond height and with the best quality of life no matter what forms of medical management you choose. I don’t care how long your legs are, you can only take one step at a time and regardless of what your personal journey looks like, we all deserve an inclusive, supportive community and access to the best medical doctors.

Nature always wins, huh? I’m pretty sure that over the past 8 years, #achondroplasia or “nature” has tried to tear me down with #spinalstenosis and the intention of me never, ever getting back on my feet. But guess what?! Lots of internal scaffolding later and the will to swim upstream until the day I die, and I am still here — on my own two feet and louder than ever. Inclusion should NEVER be based on someone’s personal decision.

Happy 26th Anniversary little legs! Thank you for carrying me on this ride of a lifetime.
Something tells me that we are just getting started!

And you know what else? I have achondroplasia, a full spinal fusion AND I can wipe my own butt.
IYKYK.

Love.