'LPBW' Star Tori Roloff Is 'Scared Of Our Kids Being Defined As A Dwarf'

'LPBW' Star Tori Roloff Is Scared Her Kids Will 'Be Defined As A Dwarfs'

Home / Top Stories / 'LPBW' Star Tori Roloff Is Scared Her Kids Will 'Be Defined As A Dwarfs'

By Afouda Bamidele on October 26, 2023 at 9:30 AM EDT

Tori Roloff is creating an awareness of her own after celebrating this year's International Dwarfism Awareness Day with her babies in her mind.

The reality star shared a message on social media highlighting the many reasons she was worried about her kids — sons Jackson Kyle, Josiah Luke and daughter Lilah Ray — growing up. According to Tori, she doesn't want them to be known as "dwarfs" because the tag could affect how they interact with the world and vice versa.

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Fans Are Moved By Tori Roloff's Candid Take On Her Children's Future With Dwarfism

On Wednesday, Tori opened up about her deepest worries about how being referred to as dwarfs could impact her children's future. To that end, she posted a singular shot of Jackson, Josiah, and their only sister Lilah, sitting atop a field of brown grass.

While six-year-old Jackson wore a black T-shirt over jeans, his younger sister wore a white patterned dress and a red hair tie, and his baby brother wore a white long-sleeved shirt and black bottoms. Kicking off her caption, their mom warned her two million followers that she was going on "a very vulnerable ramble."

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"Dwarfism awareness has always been a super touchy subject for myself. I think I've made it my life's goal to make sure our kids don't grow up being known as a "dwarf." Not because it's offensive, or I'm scared of the term, but because I am scared of our kids being defined by it," she penned.

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Tori shared that she'd "seen kids (not just those with dwarfism) defined- by parents and peers mostly- as a diagnosis" and even the kids in her classroom being "labeled with a certain pretense."

"I've seen other parents obsess over their child's disability. And I think that is what scares me most of all," the "Little People, Big World" star continued before noting that it was a "personal conviction" that she doesn't "want to fall privy to."

After explaining how a parent's fear about their child's future could lead to a diagnosis becoming the child's identity, the teacher added:

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"Our kids will one day realize they're different and that's impossible for me to change (and I wouldn't want to) and so I want to do everything I can to make sure they know they are "Jackson" "Lilah" and "Josiah" and nothing less."

Continuing the caption in the comments, Tori disclosed that she wants "to be a light to mamas especially that are going through similar experiences" as her. She then concluded:

"I want to help ease the nervousness of this diagnosis and remind all parents that dwarfism DOES NOT define you or your child. God chose you for your child. God chose you for the world. God chose you. Happy dwarfism awareness day!"

Although lengthy, the emotions behind the 32-year-old's words touched the hearts of many and they expressed their thoughts in the comments. One medical professional commented:

"I have always admired that you do not define your kids based on their diagnosis! As a pediatric nurse I've seen far too many kids be told they can't do something because they have *xyz*. Your kids are very lucky to have you!"

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"Yes yes yes!! Our oldest experiences cerebral palsy and we have never let it define him. He experiences it but it's not who he is!! We hope this sets him up for great things in this world. I love your perspective and thank you for sharing," a second person typed.

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The Portland Native Reflected On Handling The 'Messiness' Of Motherhood

Besides being open about dwarfism, Tori has nothing to hide when it comes to talking about facing challenges with raising three young children while being a public figure. In fact, earlier this year, she took to Instagram to address the issue, stating with this remark:

"Being a mom is so messy sometimes. Today was a super heavy day. It was emotionally exhausting, and I found myself overstimulated by everything."

The mom of three reflected on her challenges in raising her babies "in a world that has so much brokenness," expressing her desire for Jackson, Josiah, and Lilah to be sources of light. However, she acknowledged that it's not always the kids' responsibility to bear such burdens, as they need time to just be kids. 

Amid the challenges, Tori remained assured that she and other mothers were meant for times like these, drawing inspiration from the Bible verse "Esther 4:14." She also used her sincere words to serve as a reminder to fellow moms that "Being a mom is messy! But you're not alone, and we are doing the best work! Keep going, mama! ?."

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