Often those we consider to be ‘different’ hide stories of resilience and suffering that are just like the problems we all have. Even with some differences, we are all equal in this world, and each of us in his diverstiy deserves respect, care and affection. But a family-of-three who all have dwarfism have become an internet sensation thanks to the heart-warming photos they share online. Charli Worgan, 27 who is just 4ft 2in decided to set up an Instagram account to document their adventures in 2013 which has now attracted thousands of followers across the world.
Many think that people with dwarfism cannot conceive children, or that if they conceive them they will be born with the same condittion. They will remain very short too or they will never grow up like so-called ‘normal’ people, but the reality is quite diferent. The couple tied the knot last May after meeting at a Wᴏʀʟᴅ dwarf games team Aᴜstralia training camp in 2012. Worgan has achondroplasia, the most common type ᴏf dwarfism. Her husband, 38, has geleophysic dysplasia, a rarer form which can cause more health complications. Ms Worgan fell pregnant with Tilba ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ even trying but then they faced an anxious wait for genetic test results to see if their baby would be. Doctors have told them their children have four potential outcomes: a baby could have her type ᴏf dwarfism, his form , it could have been average-sized or if it had both forms ᴏf dwarfism this could prove fatal. But luckily, the first pregnancy went well, their eldest daughter is called Tilba and she inherited the ‘genetic defect’ achondroplasia from her mother. But then the little Tilba was followed by two other children. The next one arrived in 2018 and she is called Tully, a joyful little girl with a great desire to live and who inherited her father’s genetic defect. But all of this still wasn’t enough for the Adams family.
Soon after, Charli got pregnant a third time in 2020. This time she had a baby boy named Rip. Unlike his two sisters, however, he was neither born achondroplasia nor acromicric dysplasia. He will probably grow to a ‘standard’ height. Despite being subjected to online bullies, the couple have continued to post daily pictures of them enjoying themselves to show that they refuse to allow their dwarfism to hold them back. From days out to the beach, to lunches in the sun, or work outs and walks, as well as updates on two-year-old Tilba’s milestones, the images demonstrate that they are just like any other family. She said: “I don’t take my height too seriously but am always respectful ᴏf the short statued community when doing so. Everyone loves seeing family photos of us and we always receive such lovely comments from most people. We do get some negative people but when you put yourself out there you do half expect it. I have learnt not to retaliate and just ıgnore and blok anyone that insults us.”
The couple admit there are risks to them having children including fatality and their new addition could develop respiratory problems. Ms Worgan said: “We might all have dwarfism but our lives are full of fun and happiness. I’m also infinitely grateful that we’ve been lucky every time with our kids because of the genetic problems that could have arisen. I have the feeling that this baby will give me the ultimate satis faction because now our family is finally complete!”
