I was born with the most common form of dwarfism, achondroplasia. In summer 2010 I had orthopedic surgery to correct my lower limb deformities (bowed legs) that are very common with achondroplasia. I straightened and lengthened my legs. It was months of twists and turns – literally! + a little blood, sweat, and tears.
I have been very open with my experience since the beginning. Limb lengthening is a taboo topic in the dwarfism community and at the time of my first surgery, information on the procedure was outdated and no one with dwarfism had shared their experience since the 90s.
In addition to my first surgery, I went on to have two more lengthening procedures. I lengthened my arms (humerus) and legs again this time with a new modern, and less invasive method of limb lengthening where a telescoping rod is inserted into the bone.
From my first surgery to my last I have gained over 14 inches in height. Starting at age 16 I was at my adult height of 3’10” and today I am 4’11.” I also gained 4 inches of arm length in each of my humeri.
