Katie is the mom of Houston Vandergriff, a world renown photographer with Down Syndrome. The following is her story, from diagnosis day to changing the world through following her son’s passion. TURNING A DIAGNOSIS UPSIDE DOWN Despite the doctors’ dire predictions, today our family joins Houston on his journey to be […]
Q: How do you navigate travel with all of the medical equipment needed? A: No matter how much gear you travel with, it can be done! Some people prefer to stick with road trips or travel with an RV to cut back on the hassle of transporting bulky gear or fitting
Better together: disability parent Q&A
By Jennifer Allen Read More »
My early early vacation memories as a family with disabilities are not fond. I remember carrying my 40 lb son, along with the beach umbrella, toys and chairs… and then adding his little sister to my arms when the sand became too hot to walk. I remember his scraped up legs
By Samantha Rayburn–Trubyk I love to travel. Travelling as a person born with dwarfism presents unique challenges but also opportunities for making connections. In this article, I share some of my most memorable travel experiences, from navigating inaccessible rental trucks to meeting Andre Agassi and Vice President Kamala Harris. These stories
Empowering Travel: Navigating accessibility and
advocacy for individuals with Dwarfism Read More »
I have had the pleasure of working with Maria McClellan as a fellow board member of Little People of America for over a year. She holds the position of Inclusion Director. Maria was born with Morqio Syndrome, a rare form of dwarfism. According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, this occurs
Maria McClellan takes control of her travel destiny
By Samantha Rayburn–Trubyk Read More »
I have had the pleasure of knowing Jim and his family for nearly 15 years since our kids first became friends. I have always known him to be someone who is kind, knowledgeable and passionate about advocacy. Jim Teneycke was born with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDc), a form of dwarfism. He
Jim Teneycke, “find a good travel ally”
By Samantha Rayburn–Trubyk Read More »
Marie Trottier was born with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. She is the International Liaison with Little People of America (LPA) where she volunteers much of her time. She grew up with the organization and has a deep fondness for it. Marie currently works as the Outreach and Engagement
Kai Rivas is an incredible 15-year old athlete currently enrolled in high school in Arizona, U.S. He is a dedicated power wheelchair soccer player who recently travelled to Montreal, Canada for a soccer tournament with his team. One key theme emerging from my conversation with Kai who was born with diastrophic
Kai Rivas encourages self-advocacy
By Samantha Rayburn–Trubyk Read More »
I had the pleasure of interviewing my long-time friend Jesse Nichols in early May for this issue. Jesse, a seasoned traveller was born with a form of dwarfism called diastrophic dysplasia. Known for often saying “pack your patience,” by sharing his travel experience Jesse raises awareness and provides learning opportunities for
Jesse Nichols: “pack your patience”
By Samantha Rayburn–Trubyk Read More »
Travelling holds a special allure for many, offering the promise of exploration, adventure and unforgettable experiences. Yet, for individuals born with dwarfism, embarking on a journey can unveil a distinct set of challenges, barriers and opportunities which shape the way we experience the world. I have come up with a few
Travel tips for a Little Person
By Samantha Rayburn–Trubyk Read More »