The Little People of America (LPA) are on a mission to have October be recognized as National Dwarfism Month. While the month of October already is dedicated to causes such as Breast Cancer Awareness, the LPA believes it is important to be proactive in encouraging public awareness of positive stories of the dwarfism community.

The LPA began in 1957 when actor Billy Barty got together with 20 of his friends for a meeting to discuss how little people were mislabeled and misunderstood by society. Often the butt of jokes in movies and real life, dwarfs felt it was time that they be recognized for what they are, people.

Lois Lamb, the LPA President, said in a press release, “People with dwarfism are no different than any other person. We may just need a well-placed stool. Our members are children, college students, business professionals, doctors, engineers, mechanics, artists and teachers. We can do anything an average-height person can do”.

Here are some interesting facts about the LPA and dwarfism:

• There are over 200 distinct forms of dwarfism and skeletal dysplasia
• The typical height range for a dwarf is 2’8” to 4’5”
• It is estimated that 30,000 people in the United States have a type of dwarfism
• In July of 2009 the term “midget” was declared inappropriate and offensive
• The LPA has 6,500 members across the U.S.

The following states have passed resolutions calling for October to be Dwarfism Awareness Month: Delaware, Missouri, Indiana, Oklahoma, Illinois, Massachusetts, Kansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, New Jersey, California, Arizona, Rhode Island, Maryland, South Carolina, Maine, New Hampshire and Ohio.

If your state is not on the list, contact your local state legislature and help get October declared National Dwarfism Awareness Month. Before the US Government can make the declaration is needs to be declared at the state level.