What is it?

October was officially recognised as “Dwarfism Awareness Month” by the Little People of America (LPA) in 2009. October was chosen as the month to celebrate dwarfism as it’s the birth month of the late Billy Barty, founder of the LPA. It is now celebrated around the world, with several countries passing a resolution to officially name October as Dwarfism Awareness Month.

The Short Statured People of Australia Inc. (SSPA), with the support of the Australian Federal Government joined the LPA in 2012 and officially declared October as Dwarfism Awareness Month. Dwarfism Awareness Month is now listed on the Department of Health’s website, along with all other major awareness days and months relating to health: www.health.gov.au/calendar

Why do we need it?

Dwarfism is a medical condition that is not fully understood. Generally, there is insufficient knowledge about dwarfism. This lack of knowledge has driven speculation and superstition about dwarfism, enabling discrimination.

The declaration of Dwarfism Awareness Month has been a huge step forward for people living with the condition and their families by providing an opportunity to educate society and create general awareness.

What do we hope to achieve?

Acceptance – for people born with a condition of dwarfism, the challenge is to be accepted and integrated into everyday society – this can be hampered by the common misconceptions and lack of education around the condition.

How you can help?

Purchase a wrist band:

• Wristbands “Standing Tall for Dwarfism Awareness – October” are available for purchase from Sandra Lundie for $3.00 each. Email Sandra to order yours at: sandra_lundie@live.com.au

Hold an event:

• Contact your local Bunnings/Woolworths/OfficeWorks store and host a BBQ.
• Host your own bbq, afternoon tea or dinner party and educate your family and friends.
• Ask your local school or your own workplace to run a casual clothes day in support of Dwarfism Awareness.

Contact local media:

• Contact your local newspaper and inform them about Dwarfism Awareness Month.
• Contact your local radio station and ask to have an interview to help push the message.

Public speaking:

• Contact your local Lions Club or RSL and seek an opportunity to speak at one of their gatherings.
• Contact your local high school and provide an educative speech on life with dwarfism.

Distribute flyer:

• Print off the Dwarfism Awareness Flyer which will be available for downlaod on the SSPA website: www.sspa.org.au; and ask if you can place it on the window of your local library, milk bar, news agency, school, university and help spread the word about Dwarfism Awareness.

The facts, the figures and the questions answered

What is dwarfism?

Dwarfism is a condition of short stature caused as a result of a medical or genetic condition. There are over 350 distinct forms of dwarfism and skeletal dysplasia’s.

Key facts:

• Dwarfism affects bone growth. It does not affect cognitive, IQ or intellectual abilities.
• 80% of people with dwarfism have average-height parents and siblings.
• Females with dwarfism can give birth to children. The child may be born with average stature or dwarfism.
• People with dwarfism are generally not taller than 4′ 10″ at adult height. The typical height range is 2’8″ to 4’5″.
• People with dwarfism live long, fulfilling lives – they go to school, go to work, find partners and raise children just like their average-size peers.
• The most common form of dwarfism is Achondroplasia. Achondroplasia affects approximately 1 in every 20,000 births.
• A person born with dwarfism born to average-size parents is usually caused by a spontaneous mutation and can happen in any pregnancy.
• People with dwarfism work in all sorts of vocations: teaching, nursing, genetics, media, medicine, acting, law and all kinds of trades.
• People with dwarfism can compete in a range of sporting and recreational activities – like for all people, sports are a good form of exercise and help maintain a healthy weight.
• Preferred terms for people born with dwarfism are: short stature or little person. However the most preferred terminology is always simply the person’s name. For people without dwarfism, the correct terminology is ‘average-height’ rather than ‘normal’. The word ‘midget’ is highly offensive to the majority of the short statured community.

More information:

Short Statured People of Australia Inc. (SSPA) – Equality of Opportunity

The SSPA is a non-profit organisation that provides support and information for people with conditions of dwarfism, their families and other interested members of the community. The SSPA is made up of volunteers who aim to educate the community, provide peer and parent support, participate in programs that benefit the dwarfism community and promote the achievements of people with dwarfism. The SSPA’s main aim is to assimilate people of short stature into society with the goal of equality of education and social status, and of employment opportunities.

Website: www.sspa.org.au

Facebook: search ‘SSPA’

The venue for the 2016 SSPA National Convention will be held at the Phillip Island Adventure Resort, http://piar.cyc.org.au/

Situated on 80 acres of landscaped grounds in the heart of Phillip Island, The Resort benefits from its close proximity to many local attractions and beaches. Featured among The Resort’s large choice of recreational facilities are 2 outdoor solar heated pools, 1 indoor heated pool, an extensive range of professionally built and accredited adventure activities, including 3 giant swings, 2 high ropes courses, 2 twin flying foxes, and 2 single flying foxes, plus 2 large recreational lakes.

We will be staying in Silverleaves which features air-conditioned dining, function and meeting areas plus activity facilities. Guest rooms are air-conditioned and ensuited. The Resort offers disabled access to all and is fully accredited by – Australian Camping Association (ACA) and the National Accommodation Recreation & Tourism Accreditation (NARTA).

Please keep a look out on the www.sspa.org.au website for further details and registration.

Join us in Melbourne this September for the 1st Asia Pacific Bone Disorder Symposium and Networking Dinner

What is happening:
   Join clinicians, allied health workers, researchers and scientists in the field of inherited skeletal disorders to discuss diagnosis, management, and treatment options for patients and families.

• Inherited bone diseases (including achondroplasia, MPS)
• Clinical and radiographic features
• All aspects of clinical management
• Treatment options including new therapies (MPS).

When:  Start: 9.00am, Friday 23rd September 2016

Finish: Saturday 24th September, 2016 finishing with lunch

Where:
 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, Victoria.

Who is invited: Geneticists, orthopaedic surgeons, paediatricians, rheumatologists, radiologists, basic scientists, all students welcome – student discount available: contact FineView.

Early bird discount: Save 15% by registering before June 30th 2016.

How to register: Navigate to: www.apacbds2016.com.au

Further information: Chair of Organising Committee: Professor Ravi Savarirayan – email: ravi.savarirayan@vcgs.org.au

Event organisers: FineView Pty Ltd    Fiona McWilliam – email: fiona@fineviewgroup.com.au

When:  Sunday 24^th July 2016 (yes it is the day after the Gala Dinner)

Where: Megan, Leon, Samantha and Charlie Lilly’s residence at 1A Elanora Court, Wheelers Hill

Time: 2.00pm (Branch Meeting) 3.00pm (Annual General Meeting)

What to bring: a plate to share for afternoon tea

RSVP: Please rsvp to myself, Carly Myers on email at matthewandcarlymyers@gmail.com

Please note:

If you cannot attend in person, we can offer the convenience of Skype/conference call so you still join in please contact me on the above details if you would like to take this up.

Nominations: As part of the proceedings during the Victorian Branch AGM, voting for the following positions held within the SSPA Victorian Branch will occur:

Chairperson

Secretary

Treasurer

Sports Coordinator/s

Social Coordinator/s

Youth Contact Officer/s

Parent Representatives

Committee Members

If you would like to nominate someone for a position on the Victorian Branch Committee, please ensure that you have approval from the nominee prior to the AGM.

If you are interested in taking up one of these positions and would like to have more information about what the role involves; or if you are interested but hesitant we are also happy to make available mentoring support to                              assist with learning the ropes of the individual positions between yourself and the person currently in the role,                           please contact myself on email at matthewandcarlymyers@gmail.com

The SSPA Annual Grand Gala Dinner is a highlight on the SSPA social calendar and one event not to be missed.

When: Saturday 23rd July 2016

Where:Mulgrave Country Club, Cnr. Wellington & Jells Roads Wheelers Hill

Time:6:00pm to 12:00am

RSVP: By Friday 1st July 2016 to Vic Social Coordinator Ashleigh Hutchins on ash_hutch_15@hotmail.com

Cost: Tickets $50.00 per person (Payments to be made by electronic transfer must be paid before the event)

Please contact Ashleigh Hutchins on ash_hutch_15@hotmail.com for direct payment details

On the night: Finger food and a sit down two-course meal. Vocal and silent auctions, raffle and prizes. Plus entertainment to help                  us get our boogie on!

Flyer:  Please contact Ashleigh Hutchins on ash_hutch_15@hotmail.com for information flyer as it gives a listing of all the wonderful items up for auction and/or  raffle on the night.

SSPA membership subscriptions are due from 1st August 2016.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your membership and hope that you continue in the year ahead. Please renew your membership to remain financial and enjoy the benefits of being an SSPA member. Complete and submit the SSPA Membership form by going to https://www.sspa.org.au then click on the Membership link. Remember your membership needs to be current to receive a discount on your Convention fees and to vote at the AGM and also to receive the quarterly national journal.

Recently held on the 29^th May, Vigorella opened its’ doors, filled glasses with champagne and dazzled the guests with a lovely array of fashions on display. It was a fun and very successful day, with about 55 ladies in attendance raising just over $4000 to go towards the 2016 SSPA Annual Convention.

A very special thank you to Jenny Zeuschner; her daughter Isabella Zeuschner for selling raffle tickets on the day, Marie Millard and Megan Lilly for organising the champagne, and the Vigorella Staff (Ann, Leeanne, Kate, Jen L and Charo) for doing an amazing job with styling.

Please come along and join the SSPA and your friends at an Easter Picnic with an Easter Egg Hunt and plenty of games for the kids!

Where: Fawkner Park, Melbourne ( please contact Ash for map & more details)

When: Sunday 6 March 2016

Time: 12.00pm onwards

BYO: Picnic lunch and drinks

RSVP: to your Social Coordinator, Ashleigh Hutchins by 29-02: ash_hutch_15@hotmail.com

Please contact Kay Coady for more details

Kay Coady (Badminton Victoria Development Coach)  

kaycoady@southernphone.com.au 

Your support will help this class gain momentum here and internationally as well as increasing the credibility of dwarf sports as a whole.

Date: Saturday 28th November, 2015

Time: TBA

Venue: Albert Park Lake (TBC)