The Reality Of Life As A Little Person

Our Little Family is a TLC reality show about the Hamill's, a family of 5 who are all little people. They live with Achondroplasia, the most common type of short-limbed dwarfism. I am joined by one of my best pals, Pamela Rae Schuller, who is not only one of the funniest people I know, but a speaker and disability advocate. Together we look at the medical and social aspects of being a little person, as well as explore what accessibility means and how we can better create a world with universal design. Pam and I both learned a lot watching this show, and I hope you did too!

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-Doctor Mike Varshavski

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* Select photos/videos provided by Getty Images *

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional **

[TheFirestarter]

I love how Pam mentioned that kids are usually just curious when they ask questions. My niece is one of those curious kids, I have hearing loss and ADHD so I can’t always understand what she’s saying and I forget things a lot. Around when she was 4 she started asking why I couldn’t hear her and why I forgot things. Now she 5 and 1/2 and when I ask her to repeat herself she actually gets louder (sometimes too loud but she’s 5 🤷‍♀️) and is starting to say my name before she starts talking so I know she’s talking to me. Also if my ADHD is acting up and I’m forgetting more than usual she ask if my brain is having a bad day cause it’s different because that’s what I told her when she asked. She knows that I’m different but she doesn’t care and is willing to work with me when I’m having a bad day. (Side note: one time she kissed my head and told me my brain was all better now, I almost cried)

[maddieguise]

I love this. My Mum tells a story of when I was 2 years old we met a Little Person on a train and I asked him "Mister, why are you so small?"
He apparently replied "Because I didn't eat my Vegetables".... 😅😅😅

[BorealHP]

“I don’t see Tourette’s when I’m with you Pam” “I BARK, yes you do!”
I love her

[voxkine]

I always think this sort of thing is interesting. As a society, we value “tall” and it’s great to see representation like this, but I’m also 6’6” and I know there is no real representation of the other side of things. Being too tall for society is a pain.

Every house/building is built way too small for me. When I use sinks, I’m crouching down. Even driving is a HUGE problem for me, as it was difficult to even find a car that I could fit into but even still, I have a very restricted field of view due to the rear view mirror obstructing my vision (right turns are scary sometimes). I actually remember outgrowing play equipment at a young age.

So, it’s funny to see a lot of the same problems, but reversed.

[alexdavis]

Loved what Pam said about being disabled and how disabled people don’t wish they weren’t disabled just that they wish the world was more accessible. Really needed to head that today, I’m disabled and a full time wheelchair user, last few days have been testing and I’ve found myself wishing I wasn’t disabled but she reminded me that I shouldn’t be the one to wish I could change (and I obviously can’t) I wish the world was more accessible to make our lives so much easier. In 2022 it should be an issue.

[gmillsy]

Honestly kids are ruthless but ask the most honest questions I was volunteering at a summer camp when I was like 16 and we were playing tag, and a little girl comes up to me and goes “why do you run so slow” I just go “cause I don’t run very much and I don’t practice” she just goes
“K” and runs off again. I went home and told my mother and she started non stop laughing

[saryducas]

Love this! I'm also 4'6 and have no diagnosis of any dysplasia. "I just forgot to grow" Spot on! 😂

[VotEtoPizdets]

5:10 Her explanation as to why Accessibility is so important to her is an incredibly profound and staggeringly simplified response. That actually caught me off guard and reminded me of an individual who is active in my philosophy club. The response similarity and simplification is uncanny.

[Vixxie]

I spent 8 years in a wheelchair after a bad car crash.

One day a kid in a pushchair asked me why i was in a 'pushchair'. Her mother went bright red and apologized.

I don't her not to and explained to the kids that i was in an accident and my legs didn't work.

It's often not the kids that have the issues it's the parents and i NEVER minded being asked!!

[kateybarnett]

I come from a family of 5, All with achondroplasia dwarfism. I would love to come on and talk, answer questions if you’re ever interested. Thanks so much for the visibility and awareness!

[Lst.sul.eatr]

I love how Pam mentioned that kids are just curious and learning. I take a medication that causes my body to have involuntary movements like Tourettes, I also have multiple mental disorders that mess with the way I communicate and act. One time I walked into a first or second grade classroom (I forgot what grade) and my neck jerked back and to the side, and one of the kids asked if I was ok. I told them I was and said “I have something that makes me different, and that’s ok! If it ever happens to me just know that I’m different.” And the kid nodded.
I came into the classroom one day because I deliver things to lower grade classes for my disabled teacher and my neck I started shaking related bad, and the kid just looked at me and said “It’s ok to be different.” Tbh I cried

[JoelCHopper]

The content of these collabs are awesome. But the obvious chemistry between Pam and Dr Mike is so fun. They are so obviously good friends (as they mention) and it really is fun to watch.

[nathanwatt]

Please do more of these videos where you look and make disability more "normal". There is nothing "normal" about a disabled person's life, but we don't want to be treated differently. Videos like this help to educate and entertain so that people don't feel weird about approaching disabled people or subjects of conversation with them

[debjoy]

wow, my coworker is 6'9" and has exactly the opposite problems, he's had 2 surgeries for a herniated disc and can't bend or lean down without being in pain. I submitted purchase orders for extra long object grabbers, a "big and tall" chair, standing desk, and a 3ft-long scoop for digging dry ice out of the bin whenever we have to send frozen shipments. on the other hand, whenever I'm dusting the tops of the freezers and paperwork flies off I know exactly who put them there 🤣🤣🤣

[Amostar]

I’m starting to come to terms with possibly being permanently disabled at the age of 33 due to a back injury… and while life has been difficult, it’s a lot easier when people are understanding and accommodating. There’s a restaurant we go to frequently, and usually the same host seats us every time we go. He always seats us close to the entrance, so I’ve never had to walk very far. I assume he sees my cane and knows it would be easier for me to sit in the front of the restaurant. Well, we went the other day and it wasn’t him. The host sat us on the opposite side of the restaurant (despite the front having a lot of availability). I thought about saying something, but I also thought surely she’s not taking us much further… I was wrong. Advocating for myself has been the most difficult part of this. I’m unable to walk very far, and I should have spoken up. I know she likely didn’t do it on purpose, and she may not have even noticed the cane, but when people do notice and help in small ways like the regular host does, it truly makes my life easier.

[myXusername]

Just the way that kid said "And so can I!" Just makes my mama heart giggle <3
A lot of people (including myself) grew up being told to "not see color" and "not see disability" while at the same time told to specifically include people with darker skin tones and disabilities. It's kind of a weird oxymoron if you think about it. Anyway, that's a lot of why people (I say it's more prevalent in millennial generation, but don't quote me on that) use that specific phrasing. I'm with Pam, though, that it's more about normalizing color and disability rather than "not seeing" it.

[DoctorAzmain]

I remember learning about achondroplasia at medical school. Genetic counselling is so important for parents. And we have a lot more work to do to ensure that disabled people are not unfairly discriminated and have the same opportunities as everyone else. It’s important to remember that not all disabilities are visible either – and even for those that are visible, you have no idea of what that person is going through behind closed doors. Compassion is key, and we all (including the medical profession) need to continue improving. ❤️

[juleosterberg]

I love that a doctor is making health fun for everyone. Way to go Mike😇

[NietzzTube]

"I think we should work on that with all kids, not just kids with disabilities. How do you stand up for yourself if you don't get what you need to be successful. Because people need different things" This touched me, it's so so true. Loved what pam and mike said about the boy demanding to be able to see what happened in class. 'That's self-advocacy'. Yes.

[faithcrisis]

This family is really setting their kids up for being wonderful, inspired people. It made me so happy to hear the little boy say, "My dad can do anything! And so can I!" It's so heartwarming ❤