I am never amazed any more about the things that come out of
people's mouths. Bryan told me about a year ago, that I would have to learn not be so sensitive to other's stares and comments. But that is not always easy to do. So, on the off chance that you read this, pass along a few bits of advice to your friends, neighbors, and FAMILY. About a week ago, I was in a store with Emily and one of my family members. They were eager to introduce us to their friends and so they said , "This is Erica and this is her
daughter Emily...she is a real little person." On another very recent occasion, I had a very good friend of mine interview for a job and use me for a reference. She explained that she knew my children and one of them was a midget! (GASP!) Wow is all I can really say! I wish people would just refer to my sweet
daughter as Emily or Emily Grace or Emily
Hyland. After all, that is her name. I don't go around introducing people like, "This is my cousin Mary...she is fat." I know people don't label Emily on purpose, but that is exactly what they are doing. If you must explain her condition to someone after they ask, you might say she has
achondroplasia - the most common form of dwarfism. Or if that is too hard to remember which of course it is, you can explain that she is a little person or a dwarf. But please don't call her a midget. That is very rude and condescending to the Little People of America. So next time I see you, most likely I will have Emily and feel free to call us, "Erica and Emily."
We had a great time in Dallas. We went to the American Girl store and ate dinner at California Pizza Kitchen, We got our nails done and managed to buy Jacob a new Webkinz for being such a good sport. Oh yeah, we managed to find time to attend Rebekah's baptism too. We did catch a glimpse of Leah in her graduation gown, but opted out of the ceremony. The hour long Baptism was as long as we could sit still. Rebekah and Leah both looked beautiful! We are so proud of them for their great accomplishments.
I am never amazed any more about the things that come out of people's mouths. Bryan told me about a year ago, that I would have to learn not be so sensitive to other's stares and comments. But that is not always easy to do. So, on the off chance that you read this, pass along a few bits of advice to your friends, neighbors, and FAMILY. About a week ago, I was in a store with Emily and one of my family members. They were eager to introduce us to their friends and so they said , "This is Erica and this is her daughter Emily...she is a real little person." On another very recent occasion, I had a very good friend of mine interview for a job and use me for a reference. She explained that she knew my children and one of them was a midget! (GASP!) Wow is all I can really say! I wish people would just refer to my sweet daughter as Emily or Emily Grace or Emily Hyland. After all, that is her name. I don't go around introducing people like, "This is my cousin Mary...she is fat." I know people don't label Emily on purpose, but that is exactly what they are doing. If you must explain her condition to someone after they ask, you might say she has achondroplasia - the most common form of dwarfism. Or if that is too hard to remember which of course it is, you can explain that she is a little person or a dwarf. But please don't call her a midget. That is very rude and condescending to the Little People of America. So next time I see you, most likely I will have Emily and feel free to call us, "Erica and Emily."
