about
hi, I'm Chandler
For over a decade, I have been sharing my patient journey with achondroplasia and the decision I made to go through multiple limb lengthening. This journey has led me to my professional career of being a patient advocate, public speaker, and earning a degree in Communications.
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Achondroplasia + Limb Lengthening
the 4'11"
I have the most common form of dwarfism, achondroplasia. At 16, I decided to undergo a series of prolonged operations known as limb lengthening. Starting at my mature height of 3 feet 10 inches, I went through two separate leg lengthening procedures gaining a total of almost 14 inches in height. Today, I stand at 4 feet 11 inches tall.
In addition to the added height, I also lengthened my arms – 4 inches in each humerus. For dwarfism, only the humerus is lengthened.
To see before and after photos from my journey, visit my interactive gallery page by clicking on the box below.
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![･ was reminded today that it has been 3 years since I went to the @fda (!!!) to speak in support of furthering medical treatment options for those affected by #achondroplasia. Here’s a little bit of what I had to say that day —
“Achondroplasia has impacted my life both physically & emotionally for 24 years – going on 27. I have a 50% chance of passing on achondroplasia to any future children I may have…New parents are often told, "your child will be small, that's all.” This is just false hope. Physical limitations with achondroplasia are more than just being short. With our age, our bodies take a toll on daily life. I know many who are wheelchair-bound for life due to #spinalstenosis & fusions & others who need hearing aids & tracheotomies from complications of achondroplasia...Although some of my peers with #dwarfism embrace their physical novelty, I don’t want any potential children I may have to be at risk for severe complications & #disability. I don’t want them to have to deal with all of the social struggles that can come with having dwarfism…Having achondroplasia isn’t just being small or short. It’s a lifetime of challenges – physically & emotionally.”
For the past 30 years, #limblengthening has been – is – the only treatment option available to those with achondroplasia. For me, going through limb lengthening has been the best thing [physically & emotionally] to ever happen to me. However, as a carrier of the #FGFR3 gene, I know the risks that can come with it. I want more options for not only any children I may have someday, but for anyone with achondroplasia.
New therapies are on the horizon that have the ability to potentially lessen complications & risks & eventually prevent them from happening at all…& you can hear about these therapies + more at the @achondroplasiaresearch conference this summer ☺️ totally had to throw in this shameless plug 🔌 register through the link in bio!
📸: @risarynn
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#skeletaldysplasia #dwarfismawareness #standardized #iSTANDcorrected #patientadvocate #patientadvocacy #publicspeaking #publicspeaker #globalgenes #careaboutrare #raredisease #ellewoodsmoment #loveLOFT #LOFTimist #tbt #throwbackthursday](https://chandlercrews.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)