Welcome all new readers from the
Flint Journal! It will be strange to have other readers besides my mother but I'm looking forward to it!
At one year old, Owen is very healthy. This of course is aside from the flu, croup and RSV he's had since October. Hmmm....well...maybe he's not so much... What I suppose I mean is that fortunately, he is not experiencing any of the complications that come with achondroplasia. This is not to say that he won't in the future, but for now, it's smooth sailing (knock on wood).
He is 27 inches, 20 lbs, and has a head circumference of 19 1/2 inches. On the average baby charts he is below the 5th percentile for height, between the 5th and
10th for weight and in the 95th for head size (all those brains!). On the Achondroplasia charts he is between the 50th and 75th for height, the same for weight and 25th for head. These stats will put Owen's size in perspective, but in all honesty, we kinda threw the charts out the window!
Owen is a very happy kid. He pulls himself up on furniture and cruises around the house like he owns the place. He babbles and loves to eat and generally makes it impossible to keep the house clean. See? We are just like every other household with kids!
Through the past year we have experienced a lot of curiosity about dwarfism and expect even more as Owen gets older. Dan and I are have no problems answering any questions that may come about. We are happy that people want to understand. We know that there will be stares and comments in the future and have mixed feelings. On one hand we would like to believe that those ridiculous comments come from ignorance. People just don't know. On the other hand, no one ever wants their child to suffer. It will be hard to stay calm toward people who aim to hurt your child. As of right now however, how we will react is all theoretical. Our family and friends have been nothing but supportive. In fact, I dare say Owen has been an inspiration to a few people.
Feel free to poke around my blog. I have met several wonderful families who are going through the same experience. You will find them in "Owen's friends and other blogs". If you would like to email Dan or I, our addresses are at the bottom right. Our point for the blog and the article was to take away some of the mystery of dwarfism. I hope when you meet Owen or another little person, it will be easier to see the person and not his stature.
Welcome all new readers from the Flint Journal! It will be strange to have other readers besides my mother but I'm looking forward to it! 
Through the past year we have experienced a lot of curiosity about dwarfism and expect even more as Owen gets older. Dan and I are have no problems answering any questions that may come about. We are happy that people want to understand. We know that there will be stares and comments in the future and have mixed feelings. On one hand we would like to believe that those ridiculous comments come from ignorance. People just don't know. On the other hand, no one ever wants their child to suffer. It will be hard to stay calm toward people who aim to hurt your child. As of right now however, how we will react is all theoretical. Our family and friends have been nothing but supportive. In fact, I dare say Owen has been an inspiration to a few people.
Feel free to poke around my blog. I have met several wonderful families who are going through the same experience. You will find them in "Owen's friends and other blogs". If you would like to email Dan or I, our addresses are at the bottom right. Our point for the blog and the article was to take away some of the mystery of dwarfism. I hope when you meet Owen or another little person, it will be easier to see the person and not his stature.
