Height Site's shorter end of the spectrum

In this small, but growing section you'll find support, cameraderie, and a chance to exchange ideas plus a few links we've picked up along the way.

A Short Guide To "Leadership Presence"
Many reports about supposedly "scientific" studies claim that taller people have more "leadership presence". We found an article to refute that notion and it offers short people a way to present themselves as competent leaders in their own right--»

Quality of Life
Quality of life is an enormously complex concept, but that hasn't deterred scientists from trying to understand it in depth. A new study by a team of psychologists and endocrinologists at the University at Buffalo refutes the idea that taller is necessarily better--»

Height Bias
Prejudice based on height seems to affect men more acutely than women but regardless of impact, this insidious issue needs to be confronted and understood.

• We put together a special page to deal with this important issue --»

• Democratic front-runner Howard Dean is shorter than his opponents and supporters. We found a 'behind-the-scenes' look at how he deals with this issues --»

• San Francisco Police Chief Fred Lau had to overcome height bias coupled with racism when he joined the force. We found this article that details his story and his commitment to equal access and affirmative action.

Short Support
Finding people who understand what it means to be shorter than average is important and these resources can help.

• Short Stuff tackles many issues like finding clothes that fit, height bias and condescending attitudes.

• This is an advocacy group for people of shorter stature.

• Founded in 1957, Little People of America now has 62 chapters that provide mutual support to people of short stature (4'10" and under), and their families. They can provide information on physical and developmental concerns, employment, education, disability rights, medical issues, adaptive devices, etc.

• Short Adults Yahoo Group is for and about short/little adults.

Childhood Growth Issues
Finding other families dealing with growth related disorders provides an opportunity for mutual sharing of problems, research information and public education. These resources can help.

• The Human Growth Foundation has 15 local chapters that provide members the opportunity to meet other parents of children with growth related disorders. They have monthly and quarterly newsletters plus parent-to-parent support and a networking program.

• Founded in 1989, the MAGIC Foundation for Children's Growth provides education and networking for families of children with growth-related disorders. Their national network has divisions that include: growth hormone deficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Turner's syndrome, precocious puberty, McCune Albright syndrome, panhypopituitarism, hypophosphatasia, adult growth hormone deficiency, Russell Silver syndrome, hypothyroidism, and septo optic dysplasia.

Growth Induction
Manufacturers and marketers of height increase products seem to play on the insecurities of shorter teens and adults. If you've been tempted to try one of these products, check out our cautions first --»

Short Models & Actors
This British agency specializes in short and very short models, actors and stunt doubles--»