Dwarfism: Life as a Little Person

EPISODE SUMMARYJillian Curwin, an advocate for dwarfism and disability awareness, is the host of the podcast, “Always Looking Up."  She was born with achondroplasia—a form of dwarfism. On the previous episode of Wisdom Shared, I spoke with her mother, Audrey. You can listen to that episode here: https://wisdom-shared.simplecast.com/episodes/audrey.In this episode, Jillian talks about what it’s like navigating this world that is primarily designed for average-height people when she herself is a little person. Her commentary on films and TV is eye-opening as she shares her frustrations, solutions, and creative visions. All these ideas can go a long way toward accessibility and inclusion if we as a society change our own perspectives and see life from other points of view.I learned a lot from speaking with Jillian for this episode, and from speaking with her mom Audrey in my last episode. Most of us take our average height for granted. Jillian helps expand our understanding with humor, intelligence, and most of all, first-hand experience as a little person.FROM THIS EPISODEAchondroplasiaAchondroplasia is a form of short-limbed dwarfism. The word achondroplasia literally means "without cartilage formation." https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/achondroplasia/ Jillian’s Disney Project (includes photos)https://cripplemedia.com/waiting-for-my-disney-princess/ Thinking Big: The Story of a Young Dwarf  Children’s Bookhttps://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Big-Story-Young-Dwarf/dp/0688058264 Little People, Big World  TV Showhttps://go.tlc.com/show/little-people-big-world-tlc Nancy Volpe Beringer: Fashion Design for Sustainability and Adaptabilityhttps://www.nancyvolpeberinger.com Little People of Americahttps://www.lpaonline.org American Association of People with Disabilitieshttps://www.aapd.com Rebecca Cokely, Ford Foundation Program Officer, U.S. Disability Rightshttps://www.fordfoundation.org/about/people/rebecca-cokley/ Maria Town, American Association of People with Disabilities, President and CEOhttps://www.aapd.com/about/maria-town/ Wigs and Wisheshttps://www.wigsandwishes.org FOLLOW AND CONTACT JILLIAN Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/always-looking-up/id1567615385Instagram:@jill_ilana, @alwayslookingup.podcastWebsite:https://www.jillianilana.comEmail: [email protected]  Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/Subscribe to  YouTube channelFollow and send a message on FacebookFollow and send a message on LinkedInFollow on InstagramFollow on TikTokFollow on ThreadsThe Wisdom Shared TeamAudio Engineering by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting WorksCo-Producer and Marketing Coordinator: Kayla NelsonProduction Assistant: Becki Leigh