The author was born and raised in New Zealand where she qualified and practised law for five years. She discusses a wide range of issues such as mobility and access, education, employment and the prejudices that Little People face daily.

Includes stories, sentiments and recollections from celebrities and friends who knew and worked with Billy Barty.

"The Lives of Dwarfs is extraordinary in its range and vision. Beautifully written. Totally absorbing."--Ursula Hegi, author of Stones from the River "As a little person, husband, and father of a little person, I dream of the day when dwarfs attain full acceptance in society. The Lives of Dwarfs provides a giant step in that direction."--Rick Spiegel, former president of Little People of America "This important book makes it possible for both average- and short-statured people to challenge our collective understanding of dwarfism as a synonym for diminishment or as an array of cute and evil fairy-tale figures. The libratory work of this book is to invite us all to reimagine dwarfism as a livable experience and tenable way of being in the world."--Rosemarie Garland Thomson, author of Extraordinary Bodies: Figuring Physical Disability in American Culture and Literature "A work of compassionate scholarship. A unique contribution to the literature of physical deformity and social isolation and a gift to the individuals whose personal struggle this is."--Linda Hunt, actor Historically, they have borne the labels "freaks" and "oddities"; they have been collected as pets, displayed as spectacles, and treated as comic relief. Now, for the first time, in this elegant and comprehensive volume, the lives of dwarfs are explored in all their fullness and humanity. Spanning the centuries from ancient Egypt to the present, this unique social history chronicles the various ways this population has been exploited, describes their strategies for coping, and notes the persistent influence of mythology upon perceptions of them by others. The narrative also highlights the lives of eminent individuals and contains a thought-provoking account of the representation and participation of dwarfs in the arts, enhanced by outstanding color photographs. Betty M. Adelson, the mother of a daughter with dwarfism, brings special insight and sensitivity to the research. She traces the widespread mistreatment of dwarfs over the centuries, engendered by their being viewed as curiosities rather than as human beings capable of the same accomplishments as people of average height, and deserving of the same pleasures. For much of their history, dwarfs have resorted to exhibiting themselves: because of social stigma no other employment was available. Only in recent years have short-statured individuals begun to challenge their position in society. Medical advances, new economic opportunities, and disability legislation have led to progress, mainly in Western nations. Advocacy groups have also formed in countries as diverse as Chile, South Korea, and Nigeria. Adelson compares what she refers to as the "small revolution" to similar social and cultural awakenings that women, African Americans, gays and lesbians, and persons with disabilities experienced when they identified themselves as a community with shared goals and obstacles. Written with passion, grace, and the dignity that the subject deserves, The Lives of Dwarfs will not only revolutionize current perceptions about the historically misrepresented dwarf population, but also offer pause for thought on issues of disability, medical treatment, height, beauty, and identity.

If you're skeptical about changing society's discriminatory treatment of people with dwarfism and other disabilities, Van Etten offers hope with these words: "Advocacy makes change possible when people call out what is wrong, care enough to stand up for what is right, commit to the cause for as long as it takes, and have confidence in God's power to change hearts." Van Etten repeatedly demonstrates the power of advocacy in this book. Titans of industry are now required to lower ATMs, gas pumps, and elevator buttons to be within reach of people previously ignored. Public transportation must be accessible. Cheering crowds applauding dwarf tossing contests are silenced. Many homeowners, school children, and volunteer leaders enjoy equal access, respect, and civility. Read this book and be inspired to advocate for the changes you-and others-need. It can be done. "This is a terrific book. When a righteous voice needs to be amplified, Angela rose to the challenge time and time again. Her seemingly endless supply of energy comes from her faith in God and her love of the underdog." ~ Bill Klein, Co-author of Life is Short and Co-Star of TLC's Little Couple." Be inspired and encouraged by Angela's determination to take on all challenges, and eventually overcome and master them with an ample dose of faith and humor." ~ Genevieve Cousminer, Esq., former Director of the Coalition for Independent Living Options, Inc." You will learn a lot about the challenges that dwarfs face in their everyday lives - and about the life and activism of this remarkable woman." ~ Dan Kennedy, Author of Little People: Learning to See the World Through My Daughter's Eyes." Angela Van Etten contributed in countless ways to the advancement of the dwarfism community, the disability community, and the broader community." ~ Gary Arnold, Little People of America Past President. "This book offers the reader a grand tour of local, state, and federal opportunities for advocacy. The only requirement is passion, dedication, a thick skin, patience, and a sense of humor." ~ Jim Kay, LPA Historian

This book provides an in-depth analysis of the social and spatial experiences of people with dwarfism, an impairment that results in a person being no taller than 4' 10". This book engages with the concept that dwarfism’s most prominent feature – body size and shape – can form the basis of social discrimination and disadvantages within society. By ignoring body size as a disability, it is hard to see the resulting disabling consequences of the built environment. Using a mixed-methods approach and drawing on the work undertaken by human geographers and disability studies academics, this book analyses how the relationship between harmful cultural stereotypes and space shapes everyday experiences of people with dwarfism and works to socially exclude them in diverse ways. Showing how spatial and social barriers are not mutually exclusive but can influence one another, this book responds to the limited academic work on the subject of dwarfism, whilst also contributing to the study of geographies of body size. It will be of interest to all scholars and students of disability studies, human geography, the built environment, sociology and medical humanities.

This landmark volume is the first to trace the exciting developments in the field of dwarfism research and treatment over the past century—particularly during the past fifty years. Dr. Betty M. Adelson, a psychologist, has unearthed and synthesized the most significant information about dwarfing conditions, from articles written a century ago to current books and specialized databases. Highlighting the outstanding contributions of Dr. Victor McKusick and several of his colleagues, Dr. Adelson reveals how dwarfism specialists have helped redefine the nature of medical care—transforming it from an authoritarian enterprise into a holistic, collaborative venture among physicians, affected individuals, and their families. The parent of an adult dwarf daughter, Adelson examines the social forces that affect the dwarfism community. She offers personal descriptions of the day-to-day challenges dwarf individuals face and portrays their accomplishments. Insightful and accessible, this work will prove a valuable resource for affected individuals, their families, and medical professionals—physicians, nurses, genetic counselors, social workers, psychologists, and medical students.