If you're skeptical about changing society's discriminatory treatment of people with dwarfism and other disabilities, Van Etten offers hope with these words: "Advocacy makes change possible when people call out what is wrong, care enough to stand up for what is right, commit to the cause for as long as it takes, and have confidence in God's power to change hearts." Van Etten repeatedly demonstrates the power of advocacy in this book. Titans of industry are now required to lower ATMs, gas pumps, and elevator buttons to be within reach of people previously ignored. Public transportation must be accessible. Cheering crowds applauding dwarf tossing contests are silenced. Many homeowners, school children, and volunteer leaders enjoy equal access, respect, and civility. Read this book and be inspired to advocate for the changes you-and others-need. It can be done. "This is a terrific book. When a righteous voice needs to be amplified, Angela rose to the challenge time and time again. Her seemingly endless supply of energy comes from her faith in God and her love of the underdog." ~ Bill Klein, Co-author of Life is Short and Co-Star of TLC's Little Couple." Be inspired and encouraged by Angela's determination to take on all challenges, and eventually overcome and master them with an ample dose of faith and humor." ~ Genevieve Cousminer, Esq., former Director of the Coalition for Independent Living Options, Inc." You will learn a lot about the challenges that dwarfs face in their everyday lives - and about the life and activism of this remarkable woman." ~ Dan Kennedy, Author of Little People: Learning to See the World Through My Daughter's Eyes." Angela Van Etten contributed in countless ways to the advancement of the dwarfism community, the disability community, and the broader community." ~ Gary Arnold, Little People of America Past President. "This book offers the reader a grand tour of local, state, and federal opportunities for advocacy. The only requirement is passion, dedication, a thick skin, patience, and a sense of humor." ~ Jim Kay, LPA Historian

Becky Kennedy was more than her parents had bargained for. Born a dwarf, her early medical problems nearly overwhelmed the family's resources. But as surely as she recovered and grew into a healthy little girl, Becky became more than Dan and Barbara Kennedy could have hoped for: not merely a miniature likeness of themselves, but a little person with such a unique perspective that she opened their eyes to a whole other world.In "Little People," Dan Kennedy confronts the deepest of parental fears: What if my child is different? His search for an answer provides a penetrating look at how our culture of diversity clashes with the reality of dis-ability and the belief that we have a right to the so-called perfect child.

The little-known story of an eighteenth-century Quaker dwarf who fiercely attacked slavery and imagined a new, more humane way of life In The Fearless Benjamin Lay, renowned historian Marcus Rediker chronicles the transatlantic life and times of a singular man—a Quaker dwarf who demanded the total, unconditional emancipation of all enslaved Africans around the world. Mocked and scorned by his contemporaries, Lay was unflinching in his opposition to slavery, often performing colorful guerrilla theater to shame slave masters, insisting that human bondage violated the fundamental principles of Christianity. He drew on his ideals to create a revolutionary way of life, one that embodied the proclamation “no justice, no peace.” Lay was born in 1682 in Essex, England. His philosophies, employments, and places of residence—spanning England, Barbados, Philadelphia, and the open seas—were markedly diverse over the course of his life. He worked as a shepherd, glove maker, sailor, and bookseller. His worldview was an astonishing combination of Quakerism, vegetarianism, animal rights, opposition to the death penalty, and abolitionism. While in Abington, Philadelphia, Lay lived in a cave-like dwelling surrounded by a library of two hundred books, and it was in this unconventional abode where he penned a fiery and controversial book against bondage, which Benjamin Franklin published in 1738. Always in motion and ever confrontational, Lay maintained throughout his life a steadfast opposition to slavery and a fierce determination to make his fellow Quakers denounce it, which they finally began to do toward the end of his life. With passion and historical rigor, Rediker situates Lay as a man who fervently embodied the ideals of democracy and equality as he practiced a unique concoction of radicalism nearly three hundred years ago. Rediker resurrects this forceful and prescient visionary, who speaks to us across the ages and whose innovative approach to activism is a gift, transforming how we consider the past and how we might imagine the future.

"A great leap forward for the social and cultural condition of dwarfism." -- Andrew Solomon, Newsday This landmark volume is the first to trace the exciting developments in the field of dwarfism research and treatment over the past century -- particularly during the past fifty years. Dr. Betty M. Adelson, a psychologist, has unearthed and synthesized the most significant information about dwarfing conditions, from articles written a century ago to current books and specialized databases.

"The testimonies in this manuscript are about ancient little skeletons and tunnels found on the campus of Western Carolina University (WCU) in Cullowhee, North Carolina on Cullowhee Mountain which is south of campus. The testimonies give credence to abundant legends in Western North Carolina about Cherokee Little People."--Page 3.

The author was born and raised in New Zealand where she qualified and practised law for five years. She discusses a wide range of issues such as mobility and access, education, employment and the prejudices that Little People face daily.