01/20/2023
I’ve had a couple situations happen in the last few weeks that I brought to the attention on my social media. It’s been around the word MIDGET. I’m gonna spell the word and say it one time in this manner.
Over the course of my life as I’ve gotten older this word and how it’s used has become important to me. When used for example to describe my 2014 season and The USAC National Midget Championship we won. It makes me think of all the great people involved that year from our car owners, engine builders, committed sponsors, loyal fans and intense racing that went on that year. It’s always an honor to know I’m on that elite list of USAC Midget Champions.
When I’m in public, in a social setting or being described by someone as “look at that midget right there” if I was to be honest it doesn’t hurt my feeling. My OWN personal feelings. I have a thick skin. What It does however, is make me think about those out there that share my stature and how it could possibly affect them. I know how it affects others because I’ve had those conversations.
I’m not here to change how people want to talk, act or handle themselves. Ultimately people will have to own the way they talk and treat others. I know what it means to have compassion, treat others with respect and try to embrace empathy for someone’s personal situation.
I’ve read some responses that I’m trying to cancel the word, or I’m woke and other things that simply are not true.
What I guess I’ve wanted to say and haven’t stopped or taken time to say is this… the US population is 330 million. Dwarfism or Achondroplasia represent 0.01% of our population. Roughly 30,000 in the US. That’s a very stark ratio of what it means to live in this country and in this world considering how many people you’ll see with Dwarfism vs. without.
I was blessed to grow up with an incredibly supportive family, town and friends. They always made me feel welcome, loved and confident I could do anything. When I hear that word It doesn’t affect me because I know it can’t affect who I am, the person I want to be and things I want to achieve. However, I think about those that are still very sensitive to hearing to that word. Maybe younger kids who are still looking at the world and wondering where they fit. What they are going to do. Trust me when I say we all have dreams and goals no matter our size. I think about them when that words said with a negative intention.
Let’s be honest, many fellow racers maybe grew up playing sports, doing activities where their size allowed them to compete and take part consistently. At some point and time I knew my participation was going to affect my chances for success in certain avenues. Life is not fair. As I got into high school I found racing. I knew when I strapped into a Go-Kart or Sprint Car it was apple to apples now. I could be the best.
I’m not trying to cancel the word. I’m not even trying to argue with someone that doesn’t even care to understand why it’s developed a negative presence to describing dwarfism or achondroplasia. What I want people to know is put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Have empathy to know what it’s like to live in a world where 99.999% of everyone is physically different than you.
I want to be a great sprint car driver, I want to be a great son, brother, friend & family member. I want to continue to push myself to be great at everything I do. Most of all I want to be a great person. I would hope those reading this that feel the same continue on that path.
It’s my passion to educate, shed light and to be apart of the positive change on this subject.
