So, it is no secret that I'm not really what is considered to be tall. I have often lied about my height, a fact that almost paralyzed me when I received an epidural with my first child. I'd always said I was 5'1" and had said it so many times that I clearly believed it. Unfortunately, when you are administered an epidural the dosage is calculated by your size.... oops. I was nicknamed swivel hips for the duration of my stay at the hospital.
My reason for bringing this up is that I just read an article about a female Australian politician that actually had her legs broken and slowly stretched in order to gain 3 inches. As a child she had suffered great insecurity over her height. She eventually consulted her family and a team of doctors and decided to undergo this unbelievable procedure to gain THREE inches! Ouch. So she spent a year in self-imposed torture. Did I mention she gained THREE inches? 3, yes three.
After reading the article I began to think about how I feel about my height. Even although I used to lie about my height, (I'm actually not even 5 feet in shoes) I never really felt all that small. Now, I'd love a few inches, who wouldn't? But I've never once considered breaking my legs and stretching them in order to get taller. OUCH.
In fact, I'm pretty sure that my height has worked for me at times. I'm kinda cute. I'm kinda funny. Did I mention I sort of have a "big" personality? Nobody ever questioned my height when I claimed to be 5'1". Not once, until the epidural!
Throughout history women 5 feet and under have been extremely successful. Here is a list of just a few names you may recognize:
Erykah Badu — singer
Pat Benatar — singer
Joyce Brothers — media psychologist
Patty Duke — actress
Kylie Minogue — musician
Dolly Parton — actress and muscian
Jada Pinkett Smith — actress
Mother Teresa — Roman Catholic nun
Harriet Tubman — abolitionist
Mae West — actress
Natalie Wood — actress
Pia Zadora — actress and singer
So you see, great women, achieving great success do not necessarily miss out because they are less than average height. I may have to ask for help getting things off the top shelf in the grocery store and I have step stools in every room of the house, but my height has never once kept me from doing something I wanted to do. I have a daughter who will likely be my twin in height and when I look at her all I see is a very very big presence.....
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23 Responses to "I'm Short and I Rock!"I feel the pain. I'm 5'2, on a good day.
To this I say, you stink TALL PEOPLE!! And, I can still ride the kiddie rides. So, HA!!
If it's any consolation, being petite makes us look far younger than most people our age.
I can certainly relate! I am 5' and as I get older I am sure if I get measured it's starting to get shorter.........but I say 5'! That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
One of my seniors said "I have a lawsuit against the Township, do you want to join me?"
"Why, what is it?"
"They built the sidewalks too close to my ass!"
Yep, we've heard every 'short' joke!
Gosh... I am on the other end 5'10"
Old folks follow me around the grocery store to get the items off the top shelf for them.
It is kinda nice... the best part is seeing over the aisles at the big box stores. When I stand on my toes, I can spot empty check out aisles. This is an excellent deal!!!
I will not lie. I like being tall. But... I am also as flat as a rock. Funny enough.... I also like being flat! No bras!!!
Like you said, many great people are a little vertically challenged.
I know as I get older I get even closer. Holding on to my extra 5 inches for dear life...
This "short" business is one of the great themes of many of our lives. To me you are an amazon. Me? I'm one too. Our daughters? YES! Don't you hope we can keep them from wasting so much time giving a rip? (come NOT shop, or really shop with me sometime this weekend if you want :)
My husband was walking by as I opened this post... all he could do was drool over the babe wearing the red outfit in the picture!
Shortness rules! I'm used to being short, until recently, but still being tall, according to my super-model-like friend who is about, um, i dunno, SIX GLORIOUS FEET, and three months younger than me (still twelve) being tall has many issues including, but not limited to:
Intimidating the heck out of any potential boyfriend.
Making others assume you're severe and rude.
getting hit on the head with low hanging lights.
Being short is cool, it sounds even cooler when instead of saying "short" you say "petite".
I always wanted to be shorter! I'm 5'3". I think thats why I'm my hubby he makes me feel shorter☺
Most my friends in school were tiny cheerleader sized and it made me feel 10ft tall!
Have you ever seen Gattica with Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman (I think that was when they started dating and now they're divorced) and the yummy Jude Law? Someone goes through that very procedure in the movie with the legs . . .
Like Heidi above me in the comments I actually was thinking of that movie too... ouchhhhhh
sorry, I will have no problem staying my nice little 5'2
I never would have guessed some of those women are 5 feet and under! It just goes to show that a large presence makes up the difference.
Awesome!
I'm 5 ft tall, too! I've never minded being short at all, actually. I think the advantages of being "cute" and "young-looking" have far outweighed the inconveniences such as pants-shopping and grocery-reaching! And now I can tell my daughters (who all appear to be petite like Mama!) all about these successful short ladies, too!
I'm 5 feet one and a half inches in bare feet. Don't forget that half inch! I usually say that small people can get in small places and climb things to get up high, but tall people are stuck with all their height.
Plus, good things - and dynamite - come in small packages.
And here I am, 5'10 okay fine
5'10.5" and I hate it! A girl breaking her legs to gain inches? That's just crazy to me! You know you short cute girls can wear the highest heals out there and get all the guys right? I guess we all want what we can't have.
Yep, I'm with you on that one. I'm only 5'2", but would absolutely never put myself through such rigorous torture just to be taller. However, I might consider a bit of pain to make me a little less wide. ;o)
I have many friends that are less than average height, we call it Vertically Challenged at work! I agree that a woman can achieve whatever she wants, it is all about presence!
Nice post
I'm 5'3-3/4" - and always felt short next to my sister who is 5'7"...but I'd never consider breaking my legs and going through torture to gain some inches...that's just crazy! :) I had no idea so many well-known people are 5' and under...pretty cool! :)
I never would have guess all those gals on your list were that height.
I think too many people just think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. What would all those shorter than average guys do without any petite little gals available for them to tower over and feel tall next to. I always rather envied such petite little gals. I feel bad that is hard to find proper fitting clothes thought.
=^..^=
Every single one of my friends is hovering around the 5 foot range. It just occured to me maybe the reason they keep me around is to get the things off the top shelf.....Gotta go, I need to call them all~
Rebecca
Yes, I'm a whopping 5'3"! I have always loved being short. Back before child, I could throw on a pair of spike heels and instantly be 5'6" or 5'7". I was so good on heels, I could even run in them. These days...well, let's just say that I'm embracing my five foot threeness.
I'm pretty average sized but I would kill to be 5'8 or 5'9 -- all the better to stretch out my weight :)
Ugh, at the idea of stretching!
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