It is officially February, which is Turner Syndrome Awareness Month! For those of you who don't know what Turner Syndrome is, TS is a genetic disorder in which girls are missing one of their X chromosomes or part of one. The most common and noticeable characteristic of girls with TS is their short stature. I talked a little bit about my height and growing up with it in my last article, but this article I'm focusing more on things that girls who are short, for whatever reason, are tired of. Things people say that we're tired of hearing, experiences we're tired of having, you get the point. Here's a little glimpse of our daily lives...
1. “You're so short!”
Really?! I had no idea! Thank you for informing me! My life makes so much more sense now...
2. Not being able to reach things
We survive with tall friends and hidden step stools
3. “You are so cute!”
I've actually grown to really love and embrace the fact that I will always be "cute" instead of "pretty," but sometimes it would be nice to be called something other than "adorable" after spending an hour getting ready, doing smokey eyes, and wearing heels.
4. Clothes shopping
Let's face it, clothes are being made for the ideal body these days, and it doesn't exist, so even average height girls have trouble finding clothes that fit right. Short girls have it even harder. Unless you buy dresses and shorts that are so short you feel immodest, they're not flattering at all. And don't even try to find a pair of jeans that you won't have to hem.
5. “How tall are you?”
Four feet and 8 inches of "I know exactly how you're going to react so don't even go there."
6. “How old are you?”
This question, I don't mind that much. I know I don't look my age, so naturally people are going to wonder. Asking isn't rude, but freaking out after I answer you is.
7. Overreactions
Take #6 for example...
"I'm 18!"
"WHAT?! Oh my gosh! No, you're not! No way! You look like you're like 12!"
8. "My friend is only like a little bit taller than you! Maybe you know her!”
Remember in the Suite Life of Zack and Cody when Carrie told a man in a wheelchair, "Oh I have a friend in a wheelchair, maybe you know him!" and he said, "I have a friend who can walk. Maybe you know her!"
Well, I have a friend who's average height, maybe you know them...
9. Staring
I accidentally stare at people all the time too, but... Please remember we're people just like you!
10. “You’ll love it when you’re older!”
Ah yes, my favorite. I am fully aware that "I'm going to look like a mom when I'm a grandma..." and no, it doesn't concern me all that much right now...
11. Sun visors in the car doing nothing
Maybe you weren't aware, but you can actually be so short that when you pull the sun visor down while driving, your eyes are still below it and the visor does nothing... It's fun.
12. “I bet you always won hide and go seek!”
Wow well then my life is all worthwhile, isn't it?
13. Weight distribution
The shorter you are, the less space your body has to distribute weight on. Gain a pound and it looks like you gained 5... Again, really fun.
14. “So are you like a midget?”
This honestly should not even have to be in here. It should be common sense not to ask someone this, but apparently it's not...
15. “I bet you’ll marry a really tall guy!”
And I bet you I can't get a tall guy to look at me.
16. “How do you drive?”
2 inches from the steering wheel and better than you (LOL, JK, not me... but it's a good come back.)
17. Tall people sitting/standing right in front of you
Most of the time it's not their fault, and they have no idea, but it seems to always happen whenever it is very important that you see something.
18. “You eat a lot for someone your size!”
Yep...
19. “Can I pick you up?”
Nope...
(Unless we're close... Then yes absolutely, but we have to take a picture!)
20. Tall people
Just kidding! We're actually extremely jealous of you guys, but we know being tall comes with its problems as well, and I actually bet we have more in common than you think. Being different makes the world go round!
Actually, I know I sounded super sassy throughout the entire article, but I promise that if you've ever said one of these to me and you think I hate you now, I don't! It's different with close friends, and everyone's human, so I understand. This is just a bit of an internal monologue... Besides, if I wasn't sassy, how could I defend myself? After all, I'm only 4'8".
For more information about Turner Syndrome, go to TSSUS.ORG
