Dwarfism is a medical condition that lead to short Stature as a category of Disability. In Countries all round the world, persons affected by dwarfism still face social and physical barriers that can stand in the way of choices and opportunities. 

There are more than 200 different types of dwarfism. 80% of persons affected by   dwarfism have average height parents – their dwarfism can be the result of a spontaneous mutation, although some forms of dwarfism may be passed onto children.  A child is born with dwarfism every 1 in 25,000 births. Despite this, very few doctors know much about dwarfism, so families often have to find a doctor that specializes in the type of dwarfism in their family.

A person with dwarfism will usually be 4ft 10inc or less in height. However, dwarfism is not just about height – other medical issues arise due to dwarfism, such as spinal stenosis, hydrocephalus, arthritis and more. Achondroplasia is the most common type of dwarfism and the word itself means ‘without cartilage formation’ or a bone growth disorder.

Challenges face by persons affected by dwarfism

1. Discrimination in access to government programs and services
2. Violation of rights
3. Limited awareness of our disability category
4. Lack of specialized doctors to handle dwarfism cases,
5. Health and wellbeing
6. Inaccessible physical environment
7. Education and training
8. Work and employment.
9. Paternity denial
   

In September 2021, FPAD-U with funding from DRF conducted regional survey on issues affecting people of short stature in Uganda that were used to develop an advocacy agenda as follows;

• Create awareness on dwarfism and its associated needs. Engage media houses to speak about dwarfism.
• Promote access to education for children with dwarfism at primary, secondary and vocational institutions in Uganda.
• Child protection of children with dwarfism against violations
• Early child identification of dwarfism condition for support
• Life skills training for young people affected by dwarfism
• Access to informal and formal financial services starting with Bank AT machines and counters
• Enhance access to sexual health reproductive services among people affected by dwarfism. FPAD-U with regional members discovered HIV/AIDS epidemic as a bigger challenge to PAD. Given their height, communities regard them to be children. At health center level, they experience physical accessibility as most of entrances have steps instead of ramps. This has put Persons Affected by Dwarfism to high risks of contracting HIV/AIDS.

October 25^th of every year, FPAD makes arrangements through mobilizing persons affected by dwarfism together with other development partners/ government to celebrate this day with an aim of creating and promoting awareness on dwarfism/short stature and different barriers they face to assert independence and their right to self-determination.

FPAD-U calls upon the government and other development partners to mainstream dwarfism to create awareness, protect people with dwarfism and enhance access to services for people with dwarfism.