Short people have a big disadvantage in this world. Everything is made for tall- or average-sized people.

Growing up, I always hoped to be at least average height, but it never happened.

I have had to get accustomed to living in a tall person’s world.

At 5’1”, I find myself looking up to everyone, even if they don’t deserve it.

People do not bend down when they give me hugs, but rather they bury my face. This is not the biggest problem.

Since I am so short, people automatically think I am very young.

I constantly get the comment “you look so young.” I have gotten this from people in the grocery store, when I have to show people my I.D. and people I meet for the first time.

I even get asked if I am old enough to work at the bank.

Everyone questions the truth when I tell them I am 22 years old.

Looking young is not the only problem with being short.

I have a hard time finding clothes that fit correctly. Whenever I go to buy pants or shirts, everything is too long.

Ann Taylor is the only store I have found that have petite clothes that actually fit me if I don’t want to shop in the children’s department.

Although children’s clothes are cheaper, it is still difficult to find clothes that fit and do not make me look younger than I already look.

I feel bad for short men.

Women have the advantage of wearing high heels.

The only shoes men can wear that will make them taller are Shape-Ups.

Shopping for a short person can be difficult at times. Everything I need always seems to be on the top shelves at stores.

Every time I go to the grocery store, I seem to be chasing down an employee who can reach the top shelf.

This doubles the amount of time it takes me to get my shopping done.

Everything I put away in my house is at my eye level.

My stepfather is taller than six feet.

He used to complain he couldn’t find things that I put away or when I had to ask for things he put away.

Then, he came down to my level. Since then, he has been more understanding.

Driving has also been difficult for me.

I named my first car “Goliath.” It was a Ford Taurus, and it was an old lady car.

When I first started driving, I hit everything.

I realized my problem — I couldn’t see anything past the windshield wipers.

I can still barely see over the steering wheel in my new car, but at least this one is a little bit smaller.

Every car I have had or will ever have will have to have seats that raise up very high.

I had to give up my dream of owning a Mitsubishi Eclipse. I will never be tall enough to see out of the back.

The only car that might actually fit me is the Smart Car.

I still might not be able to see everything, but at least I would have less of a chance of hitting things because it is so small.

Little things in life most people take for granted affect short people. There are many times I sit on a couch or chair and not be able to put my feet on the ground.

I feel like a little child when I can swing my legs and everyone else has their feet on the ground. I know one day I will be happy that I look young and can still fit into children’s clothes.

Until then, I keep hoping all the stretching and looking up I do will increase my height.

—30—