After watching a show tonight - I believe it was "The World's Smallest Mom", but I don't pay much attention to titles - I decided to check the web to see what kind of clothing was available for LP. Strange to some maybe, but what sparked my interest was seeing the bride-to-be trying on wedding dresses that were way too long even though they were fitting them over her wheelchair. I found nothing but a site that mainly sold T-shirts spouting slogans about being proud to be little or dwarved. Fine I'm sure to some, but I believe most LP would like to dress the same as everyone else.
I then ended up reading the forum entries for the Roloff family because I have watched the show quite often despite my lack of TV viewing and because I love Amy's spunk. She's one admirable lady I would love to be friends with. While reading the entries, the one that filled my heart was from a girl named Heather, and I hope she reads mine because she inspired me to write this. This is for Heather and all the young and beautiful people like her.
For 9 years I worked with adults who had severe mental retardation and physical deformities. The job was tough at times, both physically and mentally, but the reward of having so many friends was much greater than I ever imagined. I formed bonds with people society ignored and pointed at in public. I preferred them to the ignorant society. I became close to some whom I was told did not have the capacity to love back. I loved them anyway; they loved me in their own way. When I left to attend school I was told they wouldn't remember me. Maybe some don't, but it isn't their fault and I remember them fondly regardless. However, there are the ones I run into occasionally who do. At those times my heart fills with joy, and I hug and talk to them despite the stares and state regulations that dictate they not show affection in public. (Yes, state-run facilities shun this, though they are expected to behave normally. Go figure. I am also using the term 'they' because I am not permitted to use my friends' names.)
The thing that angered me the most while I worked there were the people who told me I was a saint for what I did, for caring for 'those people'. When asked how I did it, I simply told them it wasn't sainthood but the human capacity for compassion which is something we all should have. This, Heather, and all of you young people like her, is a trait you possess. Use it and spread it around. Teach it to your friends and prove to the world that understanding diversity will make this a better place to live in. Speak up for those whose voices can't be heard, and against those who think that because someone is different they don't deserve to be treated like a human. Let them know that because someone is shorter than 'normal', or missing an arm or leg, or can't read or write does not make them less them a person. After all, what makes us human is our hearts, and I've seen many people who look normal on the outside but have no heart at all.
In the meantime, would someone out there take a cue from me and design clothing for LP? I would give it a shot but have no sewing or business sense. LOL! I know what it's like to look for clothing to fit an odd body. I'm almost 50 and still have to shop in the junior section because my hips are too small for women's sizes, and most of the stuff is not made with a woman my age in mind.
Keep up the good work, Roloffs! You're an inspiration to diverse people everywhere!

grammy ~ I faced, and continue to face, the challenges of finding size and age appropriate clothing for the past 25+ years (times two!).

Here's my take on it. There's just not enough demand to make it profitable. Sad, but true. That statement applies to medicine, also.

The next best thing is alteration. I wouldn't pay someone to alter clothing I buy, because my long-ago learned sewing skills are still in tact. I've resorted to finding a pattern and reducing it in size with a copy machine. The clothing I've been shopping for had to be reduced in size, not proportion.

Consider this, who would a clothing manufacturer pattern their clothing after? What particular style or design would they decide on? How does one market clothing for varied body types and sizes? I considered putting out clothing for preemies. My daughter could have worn preemie clothing for her first year plus of life. I couldn't find anything that was small and COMFORTABLE. Sure, there was a lot of CUTE, but not wearable.

Sorry for posting on the negative side of your 'cue', but I hardly think any business will put out the effort and investment unless the return will make them RICH.

I can understand your negativity, but if you think about it clothing is already marketed to various types and sizes. There are clothes for plus sizes, tall people, and petite (which they direct me to constantly not realizing petite means short-limbed, not small-boned and thin). They also sell shoes to fit very large or thin feet. It seems to me the only people left out are the LP and those who suffer from gigantism. My take is that if they can accomodate everything in between, why not LP too? I realize there are very few people with gigantism in the world and the market wouldn't be profitable in the businessman's eyes, but there are plenty of LP out there. I truly don't think it would be hard to do. They sell jeans by waist and length. I've seen them in size 44W/29L! If they can do that, why not half the waist and leg size? And shortening shirts wouldn't be all that difficult.
I don't know. I suppose I'm just wishing for a kinder world that accepts and embraces that everyone is different. It took forever to get wheelchair accomodations in public places, and Matt works to put hotel accomodations in place for LP. Clothing for LP may come in time too.

I suppose my post comes off as "negativity", but sadly, it's true. Have you ever found clothing manufactured for such a special group? Accomodating "everything in between" is more profitable. Ponder this, a group of teen LPs, size ranges undetermined, would a designer go for hip, conservative, flashy, colorful, bland? Then, would all teens purchase the (likely) limited choices?

I'm tall and I've always found it hard to find waiste approriate and length appriopriate jeans/slacks/pants. Even the major clothing chains don't cater to me, in as much as a good length. I'm not that tall, 5' 8 3/4".

Bottom line, stools built to one standard is easy; clothing designed, manufactured, advertised, distributed or cataloged, and who knows what else, that's a whole different story.

Trust me, 25+ years times clothing two tiny daughters = not gonna happen.

It's all about profit. It simply costs too much money to make anything out of the ordinary if there are not enough buyers.

However, it sounds like something an LP could do on a small scale. If it hasn't happened, then it's because it isn't feasible.

Over the span over too many years to count, I'd spent time and energy 'hoping' and 'wishing' for one thing, or another, to happen. I hoped they would be a diagnosis for my daughters. I hoped society, in general, would accept them. I wished the children in middle and high school would not for cliques then leave either of my daughters out. I hoped a particular medicine would cure an illness and allow early release from the hospital. I wished grammar and middle school uniforms came in sizes 18 months and 4T or a slim 5T.

The reality is no amount of wishing or hoping is going to change things. Acceptance and adjustment was my resolve. At this stage in my life, I've learned many a lesson about medical science, state school systems, people at large, disability accommodations, and what to expect in most circumstances. Bottom line ~ there is no "they" who will cure the ills, right the wrong, or have the answer. There's only me, an advocate for my daughters (once timid and shy, I, over time, have learned to ROAR ~ but only as needed ), and living one day at a time.

"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."

Originally posted by No less than a novel - when allowed:

quote:

I wished the children in middle and high school would not for cliques then leave either of my daughters out.

That line made me cry. Kids can be so cruel and my guess some of them, or most, had to learn this behavior at home. I wish I, (and maybe no one else does because they are not evil like me ahahha) could be a kid again and go to these schools with these kids who are so cruel. Just for one day even.

And you are right about the ROARing. WE have to be the roarers for our kids. Lets face it, who else will be? I must admit though..I do not believe I have ever been timid or shy. ahahha (I'm sure you are thinking..yeah..no kidding!ahah)

bright ~ I "wish" I'd spent less years 'timid and shy'. Looking back, with hard learned knowledge and my confidence in asserting myself for what I believe, I think my life would have been happier and more simple.

Kudos to those who aren't/haven't been bound by being timid and shy! YOU GO, GIRL!

No less,

My guess is, you weren't as timid and shy as you thought!

There's nothing like being thrust into a 'perfect storm' of unknowns to bring out the 'beast' in people! I'll tell ya, it either makes you or breaks you. No world for the timid and shy.

No, 'beast' is not a typo for 'best', although it should really read 'best'.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by No less than a novel - when allowed: hey I went to your wbsite and no one answer.

That because Amber's still sleeping and Kristy's playing Sims... again! I'll tell Kristy you're on, but Amber's busy getting her beauuuuuuty sleep .

It's a lazy summer Sat-all-day here in CA!

haha. ok tell Kristy that I'll wait for her on your website.