I hired

myown

photographer

-mymum!

my cousins born in the same year.

The diagnosis came as a complete

shock to everyone.

Neither of my parents or big

brother Ryan had the condition and

everyone was surprised.

Caused by a growth-gene

mutation, my condition meant that I

would grow to have an average

sized torso with shortened limbs.

But it was unlikely that I would ever

be taller than 4ft 1in.

At primary school, it never

occurred to me that I was any

diff lassmates.

7, when they

o shoot up in

t, I was still

aring aged

ve to six

clothing.

In 2012, I

started

secondary

school.

Like any

other teen, I

desperately

wanted to

fit in with

the rest of

my school

friends, but it wasn’t

easy at first.

Standing nearly a foot smaller

than my classmates, there was no

escaping that I was different.

People would talk down to me

and make assumptions about me,

based on my size.

It was frustrating.

‘They just don’t understand,’ my

mum reassured me.

For the next four years of school –

already a shy kid – I retreated further

into myself.

I floated between friendship

groups, not wanting to burden

anyone with my problems.

Having to ask them to slow down

while walking to class, or grab me a

book from a high shelf.

As I tried to find my place at

school, I absorbed myself in my

passion for fashion.

At 3ft 8in, I had to shop mainly in

the kids’ section, while other

teenagers were hitting Topshop.

Carving out my own style was

tough, ruffling through fluffy

unicorn jumpers to find more

mature options.

But I soon had it sussed.

Zara became a favourite go-to –

its boho gypsy-style tops were just

my taste.

I was even able to find heeled

boots to fit my size 11 feet in the kids

section of River Island.

I loved to shop and try on

different styles.

Occasionally, children would

give me a curious glance as I looked

through the same rails as them.

But I’m never

embarrassed...

my outfit planning

always comes first

for me!

Plus shopping in

the kids’ section

has its perks, with

shoes and clothes

costing a fraction

of adult prices.

Turning 15, I was confident and

now had a supportive group of

friends around me at school.

When it comes to clothes, I need a

bit more imagination than most –

working out how a jumper or skirt

nyframe.

s ago, for my prom, I

rt-pale pink Lipsy dress

ous floaty floor-length

oved it.

I’d discovered Little

a charity that provides

pport for people living

sm.

meeting other ‘Little

age.

to parties and gatherings

ity had organized.

bolster my confidence,

d there’s a huge group

ho could benefit from

shopping for a smaller

il last year, I started an

Instagramaccount @asliceofcait.

I wanted to share my outfits.

‘Will you be my official

photographer?’ I joked to Mum.

‘Of course!’ she beamed.

So, nearly everyday – however

late I’m running for school – I’ll

strike a pose in front of the house.

Mum always takes a snap before

driving me to class in the morning.

Still growing, I now fit into size-6

tops in most of the

adult sections.

But on shopping

trips, my friends still

nip over to the kids’

rail to help me pick

out some new jeans.

Being smaller

than my family and

friends does have its

share of obstacles.

I ride a motorized scooter to get to

my classes on time, and I have to use

a special stick to reach the shower.

But what fun would life be if it

didn’t have challenges?

I’ll tackle them all – big or small!

IN

Everyone has

the right to feel

good about

how they look

I started to

find my own

unique style

My brother

didn’t have

the condition

REAL LIFE