The Exciting News!
Well, I have been alluading to it for the past few days, but needed to wait for confirmation and now that I have it, I can share!!
On November 10, 2009, the State of Michigan is going to be introoducing a resolution to the session, requesting that November be known as “Dwarfism Awareness” Month in the State of MIchigan! Michigan will effectively become the 1st State to reconize Dwarfism Awareness Month!
For the last two years, I have done Dwarfism Awareness on Knoah’s ARC and respectively, What is Normal?.
In August of this year, I contacted my State Representative, Kate Ebli and asked her thoughts about proposing November as Dwarfism Awareness Month. She thought it was a fantastic idea! Through Knoah’s birth, Rep. Ebli became familiar with dwarfism and the trials we went through with Knoah.
I am SO EXCITED and PROUD to have help contribute to Dwarfism Awareness, not only through this blog, but now on a State level.
When I started “Dwarfism Awareness”, I did so because while I was pregnant with Knoah, I searched endlessly for information regarding the medical aspect of raising a child with dwarfism. I found a few sites that helped, but nothing on a “personal” level. Hence, the blog was born exactly one month after Knoah was born.
December 15, 2006 we went public. I didn’t know what I was doing with the blog or this child they told me was going to be a little person. I knew then something had to be done to increase awareness because as my doctor said at the time “your too far along to do anything” meaning terminate.
There are thousands of causes out there for finding cures. Breast Cancer Awareness, National Hot Tea Awareness to name a few.
Many causes are in dire need of finding cures, because without a cure, many people will lose their lives to their illness.
Dwarfism IS NOT an ILLNESS
Dwarfism DOES NOT need a CURE
People with Dwarfism may require some surgical intervention to prevent complications from Dwarfism such as decompression of the Foramen Magnum which if not correct could lead to death.
People with Dwarfism are capable of living full, fulling lives as do their Average height peers.
People with Dwarfism attend college and graduate with Master’s and PH.D’s, get married and have children, some may which be Little People.
People with Dwarfism ARE NOT CALLED Midgets, Oompa-Loompas, Ewoks, Gnomes or any other derogatory name that you could come up with.
People with Dwarfism are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters aunts and uncles.
People with Dwarfism ARE PEOPLE.
I have come a long way in three years. I no longer fear of having a child who many consider different, I embrace it. I enjoy knowing that each of my children are special and maybe a little bit more special than most because Knoah is in their lives. I feel extremely blessed to know that eveb though there are days when we seem to be tettering on a thread, not knowing which way Knoah’s life will swing, that I am his mother.
Yes, it is scary and no one said it was going to be easy, but everyone has said he IS a miracle.
I tend to agree with that!




This post has 14 comments
November 6th, 2009
Tonya! AWESOME! I am so proud of you! What an awesome gift for Knoah!!!
November 6th, 2009
Tonya!!! This is so cool!! I’m so excited for you and great job for getting something so amazing done!!
Hugs and Love from Texas!
November 6th, 2009
Tonya, Amazing news. Awesome.
November 6th, 2009
Wow I’m so happy for you…. we really made progress I’m hoping that I can make a change in South Africa… you remain my inspiration AND STRENGTH Tonya…….love you guys lots.
Charms and Leah
November 6th, 2009
Tonya, you are awesome!!!!! This is such exciting news! I hope the rest of the US follows and then the rest of the world as well! How fantastic!
November 6th, 2009
You rock sister! Thanks for all you do!
November 6th, 2009
Oh, that is so awesome! You are the best. Knoah will so appreciate this more and more as he gets older and older.
November 7th, 2009
That is awesome news!! I’m so excited for you and so proud of all that you have done for Dwarfism Awareness!! Your really are an inspiration to so many! Beautiful videos! Hugs to you and your amazing boy!
November 8th, 2009
that is amazing and fantatsic. you are such an inspiration and help to so many. THANK YOU
November 9th, 2009
I am so proud of you. You are amazing. But you know that. I think I have told you that before. I love those videos of Knoah. We need an updated one to show how Knoah has become ALL BOY and driving mommy bonkers! LOL!
November 9th, 2009
What great news! We are so proud of you and the work that you are doing great raising awareness for dwarfism. Hopefully the rest of the states will follow suit!
November 9th, 2009
Congratulations Tonya! This is wonderful achievement, you continue to inspire and help a lot of people like us. Carry on the great job!
November 9th, 2009
Tonya – you are AWESOME, AMAZING, INCREDIBLE, the list goes on and on! What you have done and will continue to do to create awareness about Dwarfism and our beautiful children, is beyond words. Thank you!
November 10th, 2009
Tonya,
That is awesome!!! You have accomplished a lot in three years! Knoah, Hannah and Jacob are very lucky to have you as their mom! Thank you for all that you have done and continue doing for Dwarfism Awareness.