Petite

To say that Kimmie is petite is a bit of an understatement. People are always asking me how old she is. When I answer, 17, their mouths drop open and their eyes grow large. They have a hard time reconciling my answer to the little girl with the teddy bear clutched under her arm.

Kimmie wears clothes from the children's department, and probably always will. Her spine doctor has told us that her growth is complete.

We learned several years ago that Kimmie has a growth hormone deficiency. We chose not to treat the deficiency for several reasons. Our pediatrician did not recommend treatment. He did not see the point of putting her through all the shots. We were also concerned that stimulating growth would create additional spine problems, possibly worsening her scoleosis or increasing tension on her tethered spinal cord.

Kimmie being small has advantages. It is easier for us to take care of her, all of us, Mom, Dad, sister, brother, grandparents. It also allows Dad (who has spoiled her) to continue to carry her upstairs to bed after she has fallen asleep on the couch.

--Mom