Hello all :) I thought I'd share my portion of my assessment which dealt with my blog:
​Before this blog assignment, I was not at all familiar with what a blog was, more less what the purpose of a blog was. Now, ten weeks later, I feel as if I may now use blogging to help gain insight about different questions I have by posting my thoughts, my findings, and my perspectives as others share their thoughts as well.   I began my blog with an introduction about the new family I had met thanks to my daughter, Mollie. Mollie described her friend and their family as a very kind and involved family. When the time came to meet the family, I remembered seeing the family down at the community soccer fields. All members of the family, with exception of the mother and Mollie’s friend, were all little people. I had no idea that this was the family Mollie was referring to, but I was excited to know that Mollie described the family as being just the same as any other family, and that was the key! My blog explored equality among the rights that the family had, just as every other citizen has, and after talking to the mother of the family, my attention focused on an issue they were having which was the stress their oldest daughter was experiencing due to the transition from elementary school to junior high. I wanted to help the family by finding as many resources as possible, but soon found that their family was probably more help to me than I had been to them. The inquiry process played a big part in discovering many interesting points as I researched and posed questions about some of the concerns the mom had. Her main focus was trying to find ways to help her daughter feel more at ease about the transition. Though this was not initially the road I planned to take, I am very glad I did both as a responsible citizen, as well as a responsible teacher. I started by choosing my topic, generating ideas and then hypothesizing about the ideas and resources I had come across. I found that the LPA (Little People of America) was an amazing support group to help families work through some of the challenges they may face in life. As I blogged and researched even more, I found that the dad of the family I was writing about is actually the district chairperson in the area for the LPA group! There, on the website under area resources, was my daughter’s friend and her family! How exciting! I then called and talked to the mother about how excited I was to find this out, and she said, “Oh yes! We are very involved with LPA!” At the next soccer game, she told me about some of the activities her and her family participated in with other members of the group as well. She told me where I could find additional resources for families, but then she asked me a question…”How well prepared do you think the district is for my daughter’s transition into junior high?” I now had a new direction that I felt I needed to explore even more! I needed to find a way to find out how prepared the junior high was, BUT I needed to do it without drawing attention to the daughter; her mother said she was very insecure in discussing the transition. I decided to interview a current student within the junior high just to see what challenges the mother may need to address to help her daughter be more comfortable on that first day of school. I found that the desks, lockers, water fountains, and bathroom mirrors, were all things the student felt would be a challenge for a student under four feet tall. He said they had both top and bottom lockers, so I suggested to the mother that she may want to email or meet with someone just to make sure these things are figured out before her daughter would figure out the hard way. All of these things are things that I wouldn’t have even thought about, so I know choosing to interview this little boy was a good idea; I gained answers to my questions without drawing more attention to the little girl. The mother thanked me for all the help, but as I mentioned, her resources helped me a lot as well. She vowed to keep me updated, and said she was going to blog as the transition took place just to help other families. Though there are a lot of videos and statements in regards to little people, we both talked about how neither one of us could find information in the form of a diary, to document the experiences children had with the transition. Insight from the mother may definitely help other children, and she feels as if her daughter would feel empowered knowing she is helping others! The blog will continue so feel free to check back!

Hello :0) I know I have talked about the LPA organization a lot on this blog, but I always go back to this site because it always seems like I find something new when I go exploring through the website. In my parent interview, the parent/grandmother stressed the importance of the 504s and IEPs in meeting each child's needs. I found this site : which gives details for the teacher and the education team. I also found another area on the website that I may have mentioned before but the resource to help parents with their teens entering junior high is helping make sure proper accommodations and adaptations are made equally for each student. The link is . Do you think this would be a helpful resource if you were the parent trying to help your child feel comfortable if she were uneasy about entering school? Monica

Hey :)

   So, I was looking through the Little People of America website (as this is the primary website I use to research things about support groups and stories), but I came across this interesting article in the Huffington Post which discusses an interview that took place between Chelsea Handler and Rosie O'Donnell. Check out this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/little-people-rosie-odonnell-chelsea-handler_n_1277510.html. I was SHOCKED that grown people can be so ignorant; I am embarassed and it wasn't even me! They are poking fun and teasing little people, and though the LPA group had lots to say about it, it just makes the issues the little girl is scared about as far as entering junior high, even more real! How can we teach our children a no tolerance bully policy and ensure our community that we are anti-bully, but then adults can't even set the bar and the standard for those young children! I am in no way saying this would happen in any school...not at all, I am just saying that there is nerve in getting on national television, showing your ignorance as an adult, to me, shows low morals; how do we teach our children to be indifferent? How do we encourage others to treat each other equally? The comments made in this article FLOORED me! You have to read this! That's all for now:)

Interview with Junior High Student

Hi all :)

   I talked to a junior high student this past week to determine which things at his school may be something that the parents will want to address before the school year begins (it will be the same school the sixth grade little girl I've been discussing will be going to next year). There are two sets of lockers throughout the hallways of the junior high school, and he said there would definitely be an issue with the girl having a top locker. He also stated that the water fountains throughout the school are a bit higher. He is pretty tall and he said the waterfountain was about at his belly. I started thinking about the elementary school she attends right now. The elementary school has children ranging from Kindergarten to Sixth grade, so there are more than likely neutral water fountains for the children. This would have been something I wouldn't have thought about, but once he mentioned it, I can see how this would be a problem. Mirrors in the bathroom are also an issue; while this may not seem like a huge deal, it is! I know I would want to be able to look at the mirror if I wanted or needed to, so the expectation shouldn't be any different for anybody else. I think it's important to address these issues in the school, just to make sure it doesn't take the child not being able to do something before it is addressed...that can be an embarassment for the child, and it's definitely not okay. The object here is to help the child feel more at ease about entering a new school; it is hard enough for any child to go into junior high school, but if you are a little person entering a new school and you struggle just to fit in with your surrounding, that is not good. I would want to see this child having a positive learning experience, just as she has been receiving overall at the elementary school, and I think we need to do our part in making sure she feels as welcome as all the other children by simply acknowledging that these are our children we are taking care of. Very interesting...

hello :)

I found this website…www.rightdiagnosis.com/d/dwarfism/intro.htm..Which gives a lot of information including an overview of what Dwarfism is (short stature). This includes symptoms, causes, treatments, misdiagnosis, home testing, types, deaths, prognosis, research, and statistics dealing with Dwarfism. It’s interesting because there are several different causes and types of Dwarfism and can be a complication of another condition, it can be a symptom, and it can be hereditary. The site also identifies Dwarfism as a rare disease which means it affects less than 200,000 Americans. There is a forum on the website to allow people to post on the page. Check the page out, there are lots of resources. Also, I typed out another post but while the title for the page was there, the words for the body of the post was gone. So, here it is again. The father of the family discussed on this blog is the chapter leader. http://home.fuse.net/LPAChapter16/About%20us%20temp.html. There are different chapters around the country to help serve and encourage little people. It is all through the LPA. There are meetings for support and helpful links. See what you think!

One more thing...

Hello all :0) Well, was looking into finding an actual journal of maybe someone who had experience with having a sibling who was a little person, just to give a little more insight as to how the sibling feels about being average stature. While researching this, I came across this: http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/eric/faq/siblings.html
It's still not exactly what I was looking for but I thought I'd share it to provide a more specific resource which explains some concerns the average child may have about their future and their siblings future. It explains the guilt the child may feel, and then provides explanations as to what the parent can do to support both children. Once I read this, I still kept looking for something more, like a journal response. I'm going to read the following entry, feel free to check it out as well. I'll share what I got from the source and elaborate on those findings. I'm still waiting for the momma to follow the post to provide personal insight. I spoke to her over the weekend and she's trying to get to it :) The bibliography information is: "Growing up with a sibling with dwarfism: perceptions of adult non‐dwarf siblings" Tharina Gusea* & Clare Harveyb [...] Disability & Society Volume 25, Issue 3, 2010, pages 387- 401 Available online: 28 Apr 2010 Access is needed so hopefully I can get this to use this week. Thanks!

Hello :)

    I wanted to find more information about how schools plan to accommodate little people. This below is a file that gives some guidelines as to things and ways schools need to accommodate little people. I would like to see if the district this little girl is in already has something in place, or if it is going to be something where the parents will need to go to the school and have them make some of the necessary changes. There is a big problem  with this though and it is that in order for the parents to know that the child is unable to reach or have access to everything, the girl would have already had to have experienced not having access to something that was available to the children of average height. I think it's important to know the situations you are going to be in before the year takes place, but as I mentioned, I am not sure if this school does have any accommodations and adaptations for the child who is classiffied as a little person, but I would like to ask the school if they have ever seen this document and find out what the plan is once they do get the information. I would have liked to find a diary which was written by a little person who had entered school...preferrably junior high just as this little girl. http://lpamrs.memberclicks.net/assets/documents/School%20Info%20for%20dwarf%20children.pdf

If anyone has come up with specifics, please post the url's or videos. I'm also going to look at the library as well to see if there is a book thhat explains some of the challenges which exist with little people, as well as some examples of how her days went on that first day of junior high.

Monica Bloom

Hello all :0) Again, thinking about some of the conversations I have had with the mother, I wanted to find other parental perspectives which deal with their take on the stares, ignorance, and intolerance among society. She is terrified that the child will be made fun of as she progresses through her school years. I found a very informational website which not only gives lots of facts and resources for families, but it also has a parents perspective on how she deals with indifferences. I would have loved to post it but the cite is copyright protected. Please take a look at this: http://www.lpaonline.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=129873 The parent in this article talks about some of the comments other children make when they are out at different places, and her child gets very hurt when children and other people say crude things. It is real, and children do point out differences, not to be mean (at least we hope), but when children are curious and even before they ask, it's important to promote an awareness as parents and adults to help educate and shed light on differences within us all. Pay attention to the parent in the article talking about her average-statured child becoming defensive over rude comments being directed towards their lp siblings. Siblings just want everyone to know that they, just like everyone else, is a person first. It's hard to imagine being in the situation, but I know I look at how strong this family is in my community, and I know that it's the resources available which help the families become empowered to stand up for what's right...now it is our turn to do the same! Until next time, live, laugh, learn!

Parent Resources

Happy Monday :0)
After my conversation with the mom of the family, I realized that she was very concerned with the oldest daughter and her moving on to junior high next year. I know the family is VERY proactive when it comes to what is best for their children. In fact, I thought it was interesting that the mother is the Hospitality Chairman for our local elementary school...wow! I think it says a lot to see this mother of four so insistent on making a difference, and as I mentioned in an earlier post, she definitely is doing a great job in helping teach children about showing hospitality both at school, and within the community. Anyhow, I wanted to find some parent resources for the parents of these young children to help them know what types of services and resources are available to them. I found a great website which talks about people of short statue in terms of it being, "Dwarfism." the website gives a lot of background information, but in focusing on the children, and providing resources for the older child, I thought this was helpful:

Helping Your Child Although types of dwarfism, and their severity and complications, vary from person to person, in general a child's life span is not affected by dwarfism. Although the Americans with Disabilities Act protects the rights of people with dwarfism, many members of the short-statured community don't feel that they have a disability. You can help your child with dwarfism lead the best life possible by building his or her sense of independence and self-esteem right from the start. Here are some tips to keep in mind: Treat your child according to his or her age, not size. If you expect a 6-year-old to clean up his or her room, don't make an exception simply because your child is small. Adapt to your child's limitations. Something as simple as a light switch extender can give a short-statured child a sense of independence around the house. Present your child's condition — both to your child and to others — as a difference rather than a hindrance. Your attitude and expectations can have a significant influence on your child's self-esteem. Learn to deal with people's reactions, whether it's simple curiosity or outright ignorance, without anger. Address questions or comments as directly as possible, then take a moment to point out something special about your child. If your child is with you, this approach shows that you notice all the other qualities that make him or her unique. It will also help prepare your child for dealing with these situations when you're not there. If your child is teased at school, don't overlook it. Talk to teachers and administrators to make sure your child is getting the support he or she needs. Encourage your child to find a hobby or activity to enjoy. If sports aren't going to be your child's forte, then maybe music, art, computers, writing, or photography will be. Finally, get involved with support associations like the Little People of America. Getting to know other people with dwarfism — both as peers and mentors — can show your child just how much he or she can achieve.
I am pretty sure the family is involved with different support groups, but I'm really not sure. As this website states, it is important for the child to come to terms with the situation, and maybe find a friend /mentor who can relate. It may be helpful to try to find a peer who may also be a little person who is also nervous about entering junior high. Maybe having the child keep a diary up to the start of junior high to look at what things may need to be addressed before the child begins her seventh grade year.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/growth/dwarfism.html#

More information can be found at the above website.

For my next post, I'm hoping to have found some similar stories which may help the mom and the child with their anxiety, and the upcoming school year. Until next time, Live, laugh, love!

With much excitement, here is my next post!

Hello everyone :) I am very excited about this new post because tonight, I decided to talk to the mother of the family to let her know what I was doing. She was very interested, AND it was wonderful to hear that she too, has had some of the same questions as she thinks about her oldest daughter going into junior high next year. Over dinner, the mother and I talked about some of the differences among our children, and I do just want to add that we mostly talked about how different each of our own children were, not in terms of size, but in terms of sensitivity and personality. Of course the focus of this blog is to address some of the issues this family is or may be dealing with within the schools, but my point is to explain just how much makes up a child...what makes each child themselves. Helping and guiding children to first recognize each person as a different person, and it's best to get to know someone just to see how different we all are. I have to admit that I was nervous about asking the mother about her children, and remember, she is not a "little person." I did take into account how approachable the mother has always been and how she is always extremely nice. I am SO happy I decided to talk to her, and she has expressed to me that she would love to look at the blog AND she may even comment on here as well!! How wonderful is that?! I think it will be great to get a realistic perception on not just the challenges which may come up, but also the great joy this family brings to others' lives and how they continue to make a difference in the lives of others'. So, look out for that :0). Either way, the mother is aware of what I am trying to do, and while this is just a blog, I have every intention on making sure there are appropriate accommodations for EVERY student, providing equal opportunities for emotional and physical stability and happiness among the school community. More info still to come :0) Now, I am completely excited about this! It's all about working to make a difference! Have a great night and live, laugh, and love, often!

Questioning my own questions...

        As most of you know I am a mommy of both a second grader little girl, and a kindergarten little boy. Both of my children stay pretty active in sports and among the community sports complex, I had seen a family who I noticed were all little people, at least from what I noticed. I didn't know the family but at the start of the school year, I saw the family at my daughter's second grade orientation. Then, once we were directed down to my daughter's classroom, I did see the mother and father, but I didn't see a little person as one of her peers. Due to my schedule being the same as my kids this year, it never really came up again. Then, this winter, my daughter was asked to play on an indoor soccer team with a few girls from our community. My daughter was very excited because one of the girls from her class was also on her team. "Mom, *** is a wonderful, caring little girl! (yes, my second grade daughter is saying this...) Her mom is SO nice! I know you will like her. Her dad is really nice too! He comes in to help with things at school sometimes. They are just a really nice family! I can't wait for you to meet them!"
          Wow! This family made quite an impression on my little girl, and I too was excited to meet such a wonderful family! My daughter's soccer team had their first game, and the very first thing she did was introduce me to *** and her family, and she was right! What a great family! However, though it was the first time I had talked to this family, it was not the first time I saw them; they were the family I had seen around the community who were the little people! I have to admit that I immediately wondered how my daughter had explained this family to me in so many ways BUT had never ever mentioned that they were different in terms of being little people.  I had no idea because *** is a normal sized second grade little girl, and her older sisters and her younger brother were all little people. Her mother is not classified as a little person, but she is fairly short. Then, I know ***'s sisters had played soccer because I saw them down at the sports complex. I immediately started to think about *** and how she may feel as the tallest person in her family, though she was the second youngest. I started to think about sports and how the other siblings did as they played. I started to wonder how *** feels when she notices everyone staring at her family, but then as a parent, I wondered how the parents felt about this as well. All of the children go to the same school, and I have wondered what accommodations, if any, have been made for this family. One of the children will be going into the junior high school; are they prepared to deal with a little person among their school community? I have started to think about bullying and the awareness among the schools to ensure each child is not being bullied and each child has an equal opportunity as any other child. Is society really providing equal opportunities for all families? Do our schools provide equal opportunities for EVERY child? I do believe our children are being taught the basics on treating other children nicely, regardless of any differences, but our society as a whole...are they ready to treat others equal? As a future teacher, maybe even for this community (finger's crossed), what can I do to make a difference? Will my efforts be helpful or will my efforts draw more attention to a difference that the family may be trying to deal with without the extra attention? What are your thoughts?

-Monica