The month of October may soon be Dwarfism Awareness Month in Connecticut. An amendment proposing this legislation was introduced by Rep. John Frey and was approved by both the House of Representatives and the state Senate. Both chambers passed the bill unanimously.
The amendment states that the month of October will be Dwarfism Awareness Month in order to increase public awareness and improve available treatments for dwarfism, and for suitable exercises to be held in the state Capitol.
“In declaring Dwarfism Awareness Month, the hope is to raise awareness around dwarfism, address common misconceptions, and increase opportunities for people with dwarfism around the state,” Frey said while speaking in favor of the amendment in the House chamber.
“We’re talking about regular people who have jobs, families and responsibilities. We want to increase awareness about dwarfism, so that they can live even fuller lives in our state,” said Frey.
“I was first approached last fall by Ridgefield High School student Natalie Whitton, who has dwarfism. Natalie made a compelling case in asking why Connecticut couldn’t recognize Dwarfism Awareness Month, as many other states do currently. I told her that we are going to do our best to get this changed,” he said.
Many other states have established October as Dwarfism Awareness Month, including Delaware, Puerto Rico, Missouri, Indiana, Oklahoma, Illinois, Massachusetts, Kansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, New Jersey, California, Arizona, Rhode Island, Maryland, South Carolina, Maine, New Hampshire, and Ohio.
Frey’s amendment is attached to House Bill, 6100, An Act Designated Spinal Muscular Atrophy With Respiratory Distress Awareness Day. HB 6100 was signed by the governor May 28.
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