Abstract:
The researcher conducted a case study on the quality of life of individuals with
dwarfism and there were 12 respondents who participated in this study. Through looking
into the life experiences of these 12 respondents using the phenomenological perspective,
the researcher was able to find out how is it to live a life with dwarfism and determine
how could they improve their quality of life.
The researcher was able to gather data through in-depth interviews and participant
observation. The in-depth interview includes questions about the different struggles of
the respondents because of their condition in the course of their childhood, adolescence
and adulthood life. Moreover, questions about the quality of life and its domains
(Physical Health, Psychological, Social Relationship and Environmental) were also
asked.
After gathering the necessary data, the researcher found out that the short stature
brought about the condition called 'dwarfism' caused people who were affected by it to
become physically different in this average-sized world. They are facing different social
challenges because of their condition. These social challenges such as constant teasing,
discrimination especially in work and other forms of negative reactions affect the
individual dwarfs' view and acceptance about themselves hence, affecting their quality of
life.
Individual dwarfs would have an improved quality of life if our society today will
be educated enough about what is true and fiction about dwarfism. Physical differences
should not be a sole basis for people to judge one's character and productivity. Just like
individual dwarfs, they also need opportunities to prove themselves and also to survive in
this world. They should be supported not mocked for they also have the right to live
normally in this average-sized world.
