International Dwarfism Day: Don’t look down at the little people

Little People of Pakistan members talk about what it means to stand tall in shrinking public spaces

KARACHI:

People of tall stature but little hearts victimise us dwarfs, Kamran Ahmed Khan, president of Little People of Pakistan, said at a press conference on Friday.

The organisation, run by and for people with dwarfism, will observe the International Dwarfism Day for the first time in Pakistan on Saturday (today).

Sitting on the panel at the press conference, the speakers' legs might not have touched the ground but media persons hung on to every word as they described the kinds of discrimination they faced every day.

"Our car broke down near the Civic Centre on our way here [Press Club], none of us could push or tow it, and no one stopped to help us," Khan said. "Why wouldn't anyone want to help us?"

He spoke about how people on the streets thought it was okay to harass and mock little people. It is because of such people that dwarves are forced to withdraw into their homes and stay away from public places. Some people even encourage their children to make fun of us and pull faces at us, he said.



There is a little man or woman in every 1,000 people, "yet how many little people do you see in public spaces?" Khan asked. This is because of the behaviour and attitude of people.

The Little People of Pakistan aims to encourage little people and instil confidence in them to step out of their houses and work towards their personal and social development, he said. "We too can play a progressive role for the betterment of Pakistan."

Khan said regardless of their level of competence or eligibility, little people were completely ignored as far as government and private sector employment was concerned. He said the government's special quota was rarely ever enforced. "Our height becomes our greatest hurdle."

Actors Shahid Rana and Akbar Halchal Khaskheli also addressed the press conference. They spoke about problems they faced in getting the roles they wanted to play in dramas and movies. "Even getting paid on time is a problem."

"We play the roles of uncles, fathers and brothers in real life, do we not deserve to play roles for other than comic relief," said Khaskheli, who has three sons who are little people too. He said they faced a lot of trouble in getting their pay cheques on time. "People take it as a surprise when they hear that my wife is not a little person. It's as if I'm not human or have feelings," he said.

The organisation lamented the lack of public transport facilities for them and demanded installation of footsteps for little people in public transport vehicles. Khan said the government must set up special counters at public service institutions for people like them. The organisation demanded a special discount at hospitals and access to public and private employment opportunities without discrimination. A special quota for little people would go a long way in ending discrimination against us, Khan said. "We want to be able to enjoy the same status and respect people with normal heights do… God made us little, we had nothing to do with it," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2014.