Dwarfism genetics guide A plain-language explanation of inheritance probabilities for several common scenarios—including achondroplasia, COMP-related pseudoachondroplasia, and selected recessive skeletal dysplasias. Start with the exact diagnosis. The probability tables below apply only to the diagnoses and parental combinations named. They cannot calculate the chance of every form of dwarfism. A genetic counselor or medical geneticist…
Two pregnancies • one achondroplastic mother • practical lessons What helped us plan specialist care, two scheduled C-sections, anesthesia and an accessible nursery—plus the advice we would give another LP family today. This is what pregnancy looked like in my body. I am a woman with achondroplasia who carried two pregnancies, but dwarfism includes many…
An LP mom’s spinal scare + current guidance What a frightening fall taught our family about spinal stenosis, emergency symptoms, imaging, medical self-advocacy, and finding spine care that understands achondroplasia. Our story is not a substitute for emergency assessment. New neurologic symptoms after a fall or a blow to the head, neck, or back need…
Wearing Your Dwarfism on Your Sleeve vs. Strength The greatest gift you can give your child with dwarfism doesn’t come from a catalog, isn’t ordered online, and can’t be qualified for. I can go on and on as to how I got to this subject in my head, but I’ll try to keep this short…
Can’t vs. Shouldn’t There is a meaningful difference between what a child physically cannot do and an activity that may carry extra risk. Good guidance should explain that difference without teaching fear. This distinction came up after a parent challenged something I said during a workshop for average-height parents of children with dwarfism. Her young…