I watched a local station which brought the plight of Brenda Naluyima, a dwarf teenage girl of Najeera, a city suburb, into the spotlight. Dwarfism is hardly discussed yet dwarfs have salient issues of discrimination that need to be addressed.
Dwarfism refers to a group of conditions characterised by shorter than normal skeletal growth (height below four feet 10 inches). There are over 200 conditions that can lead to dwarfism, each with its own distinct features. Skeletal dysplasias is the most common cause of dwarfism. These conditions affect bone and cartilage growth and result in disproportionate short stature.
Achondroplasia is the most common type of short-limb dwarfism occurring in about one in 25,000 children, both sexes at equal risk. It is unfortunate that about 80% of children born with the disorder have average-size parents.
Many forms of dwarfism are usually the result of a spontaneous mutation in a single rogue gene in either a sperm or egg cell from average-size parents during conception. It is not known why this occurs, but it may happen in any pregnancy.
During the interview, Brenda’s aunt mentioned that most of her relatives shy away from staying with her because they believe she is a burden.
But Brenda is capable of leading an independent life. Simple modifications in the house like use of a two-step stool to reach things beyond her height can help her.
Caretakers of short-statured children can help them cope with their height limitation by improvising. Self-esteem and a sense of independence are key factors to coping with dwarfism. It is vital for the public to regard dwarfism as a physiological difference rather than a problem.
Achieving higher levels of education, career and personal ambitions is not limited by stature. But some people consider dwarfs for their entertainment value. The magnitude of any physical limitation is a combination of lack of self esteem brought on mostly by the attitude. Therefore, short-statured people can become useful members of society through education, employment and social adjustment.
The writer is a founding member of Little People of Uganda, a support organisation for short-statured people and their relatives
