Good Morning,
We have seen a great response to our the website since the re-airing of
Smallest People in the World Documentary. If you have questions, comments or
concerns please email us. There is a link to our email addresses on the contact page or you can use the form below.
Thanks for visiting!! Remember the site is ongoing so check back often to see whats up. Updated pictures coming this Spring!!!!
Christy
Brad and Bri both attend our public high school. Brad is in the ninth grade and Bri the tenth. They each have an individual aide with them all day. This in itself is a challenge. Both kids love their aides and substitute aides but finding them special someones are sometimes difficult.
Bri’s aide is Ms. Altom. She is not only there for Bri’s size and academic assistance but to provide her health care services required for her to attend school. Ms. Farmer is the substitute aide when Ms. Altom is absent. Last year we faced a major challenge when my niece Bri’s aide then resigned. This was a very difficult transition for Bri and resulted in a lot of stress on her. God smiled on us finally and sent Ms. Altom. We are thankful for her. For anyone with health care needs at school feel free to email me. I will be glad to help you all I can. Your school nurse should know your childs medical needs inside and out for she is the lifelink when they are at school. Ms. Debbie is ours and I bet she can recite Bri’s needs. I am thankful for her help and assistance in developing and training staff to care for Bri.
Brad’s aide is a wonderful lady, Ms. Conlon. She is so great with him. Brad is a ball of energy and is a typical 15 year old boy. During jr. high Brad really needed a male assistant and role model, Adam, Derek and Joey, filled a role that they will never know was so important. They were that “guy” he needed to hang out with during school. Self image and acceptance of his differences was at a pivotal time then. These guys help him transition into the nice young man he his. When Joey left along came Ms. Conlon. Both Brad and Ms. Conlon were a little nervous about each other at first. However, they now share an unbelievable bond. Brad worries about her and her about him. They know how to work hard and achieve. Thank you Ms. Conlon!!!
On the academic front, both kids have their own individual plan. They both make great grades and have achieved a lot. I am sure you guys out there have many questions. Please feel free to ask. If you would wish to just email me that would be fine.
Another important area for Bri and Brad is being included with their peers. This is probably the most important thing. Bri and Brad’s peers don’t even think of them as
different. They see them as they are and accept that. They have great friendships and participate in extracurricular activities with the district. I would encourage all families to push this for your kids. Our school district from administrators down know that I expect Bri and Brad to be included just like the other students.
We have had times when I and the district disagreed on this but they know exactly how important I feel this is. Sometimes its a hard job for parents to be your childs advocate, you don’t always make friends but it is your Parental duty to advocate for them. I would suggest to find someone to help you. My Aunt Jane, Dad, Chastity and Brandi all helped us through some difficult educational times. I can never repay them for the support. We even had to get a local legal firm to help. I hated this but unfortunately it is sometimes necessary. Remember your schools have an attorney at their fingertips.
I will leave it at that but feel free to comment, I welcome it.
Christy
I was just posting an update about the weekend and an old memory flashback about how not normal our lives can be came to me. For example, Bri has her trach and requires special care. One evening she was staying with her sister and her friend Kenzi whom is younger than Brad and Bri but wise beyond her years was visiting. Our puppy got a hold of Bri’s trach tie and accidently pulled out her trach. Kenzi recognized this and immediately sent the emergency response plan in progress. While Brandi gathered new supplies, Kenzi kept her cool and kept Bri calm. She called me for I was only a few blocks away. Brandi of course replaced the trach and Bri was fine. However, Kenzi played the most important part by recognizing the problem and supporting Bri. All Kenzi asked after everything was over was; “Is my heart supposed to be beating so fast” , that brought on a good laugh from all.
Thank you Kenzi!
Love ya,
Christy
Watch our documentary re-airing on TLC:
Time (et/pt) Series Title Episode Title CC TV
Jul 29, 9:00 pm
Jul 30, 12:00 am
(60 minutes)
Follow the lives of four extraordinary American kids, Danny, Hannah, Bradley and Bri. They are primordial dwarves, the smallest and rarest type of the 200 types of dwarfism. So rare, there are only an estimated 100 in the world.
Click HERE to watch Bri and Brad in their recent appearance on Dutch television show, Jenson.
From there, click on link labeled “06-03 Interview Smallest People” to watch.
The host speaks in Dutch to the audience at first, but in English to Christy (Mom), Bridgette and Brad.
The video streaming seems to get stuck at some points, but a great interview and insight into their world as primordial dwarves.