For my entire life, I've always been the shortest person in my class. I am now a college sophomore, and I am still only four feet and ten inches tall. Legally, I am a midget. Though I try my hardest not to let my size define me, here are a few struggles that only small people will understand.
1. Trying to get things off of shelves.
Every time I'm in the kitchen or I'm in the grocery store, I have to turn into a ninja. I climb on shelves and counters to reach a single box of pasta or tupperware container. I could use a stool, but where's the fun in that?
2. When the smallest size clothing available is still too big.
There's two problems with this. One, when a junior's extra small is still too big, there's nothing you can do about it. And two, stores carry limited amounts of size extra small and double zero clothing, so finding any clothes at all can be a hassle.
3. Shoe shopping.
If you have small feet, you'll understand the hassle. I wear a size three in kids. I can fit into a woman's five in heels, but everything else (sneakers, sandals, etc.), I have to buy from the kids section. It's incredibly difficult to find shoes without flowers, bows and rhinestones.
4. Being used as an armrest.
If you're like me, all of your friends are taller than you, and all of them think your head is the perfect place to rest their arms. I guess it doesn't really bother me. It's just another reminder that the rest of civilization is a foot taller than me.
5. Trying to see through crowds.
Even when someone lifts you on their shoulders, sometimes you're still too short to see above people's heads. It's obnoxious at parties and social gatherings.
6. Being marked absent in class when you were actually there.
I have had teachers mark me absent on days I've been there, simply because they didn't see me. I'm so small that I'm not even in some people's lines of vision. And it's an issue when it affects my grades.
7. Having people walk into you.
Again, being vertically challenged causes a lot of people to walk into me on accident, because their eye level is above my head. This happened a lot in the hallways at school.
8. Opening doors is a workout.
Doors are not simple for small people, especially if they're heavy. We don't have enough force to pull upon the door. And if the wind is pushing the door shut, forget it. That door is never opening.
9. Short jokes.
People constantly feel the need to make comments about your height. (As if you didn't already know how short you were).
10. Trying to keep up with people.
My legs are not long. Let me repeat that: my legs are not long. I have to take two or three steps for every one of yours, so keeping up with my friends can actually be a bit of a workout for me. A leisurely stroll for you can turn into a light jog for me, so try to keep in mind that I have little legs.
To anyone who understands these struggles on personal level, just remember all the good things about being short. Short people can hide easily, can escape easily and can give great hugs! Size is but a number, and your personality is a greater measure of your worth.
