It all started this morning with the Wikipedia entry of the day on Downs Syndrome. After reading/reviewing about the extra 21st chromosome, I started to wonder if dwarfism was a genetic thing, too. It is, but it's not a chromosome thing. The most common cause is achondroplasia, in which individuals grow up with unproportional limbs. (Interestingly enough, achondroplasia is an autosomal dominant mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor gene 3 (FGFR3), which causes an abnormality of cartilage formation. FGFR3 normally has a negative regulatory effect on bone growth. In achondroplasia, the mutated form of the receptor is constitutively active and this leads to severely shortened bones- Wikipedia, baby)
Then I was like, wait, where do midgets fit into all of this? The website for Little People of America (lpaonline.org) said that a midget is a term used for a proportionate dwarf (caused by a hormonal deficiency verses achondroplasia), but the term isn't politically correct because it was used extensively in the "freak show" era (1865-ish). The PC term for both is LP or little people.
But then, my real question was- Are there dwarf communities? Are there villages with lots of dwarfs living together in little-bitty houses? Are their houses "normal" scale? Or are they built to dwarf scale? But googling "dwarf communities" didn't bring up a lot of information aside from the fascinating advertized site of "LITTLEPeopleMeet.com." I just couldn't resist.
IM with roommate, Marcia
B: did you know that there are online dating thingies for dwarfs? Little People Meet- wow.
M: i'm bored at clark
B: so you should come home so I can show you hot dwarfs (I can't believe I'm actually signing up for this!)
M: you are NOT!
B: ummmm
B: I said I'm 3'9"
M: OHHH NO
B: Hey! There're people on here who AREN'T dwarfs!
B: what the hell??? This guy is 6'2"
B: What a weird fetish!
B: Oh...my....gawd...
"What are you looking for in a partner?
I love the wizard of oz.
someone to dress up as an umpa -lumpa!
must supply own costume. just want a crazy wild night."
"I'd just like to add...
Have to be able to laugh.No stings just fun.Dont worry i'll buy a costume if you want..."
M: WHAT?! hehehe
M: oh my god
B: I know!!!
B: Dude! I've only seen one dwarf guy..no, wait...he's 5'0"
M: oh wow! the dwarf dating site is short on dwarfs?!
B: Wait, I just narrowed my search
B: you know, some of these guys aren't bad looking!
B: huh. This one guy kinda looks like Matthew
B: I think I've reached a new low of procrastination
M: maybe
B: looking at online dating websites for Little People
not "looking", just curious
B: Ok, I'm gonna go and put away laundry! See you later tonight!
M: ok
If anyone has any info on LP communities please let me know or I'll be forced to contact Hotlittlejeff in San Francisco!
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