‘Do not overlook us because of our size’

As Rare Disease Day approaches on February 29, Jennifer Bell reports on some of the ailments found in the UAE.

Muffadal Khumri, centre, has stunted growth, while his wife Zahra and their daughter, Zoya, suffer from dwarfism. Reem Mohammed / The National

DUBAI // Zahra Khumri has a message for those who stare at her in the street: do not overlook her because of her size.

The 37-year-old Indian and her daughter Zoya, 7, suffer dwarfism, while her husband, Muffadal, has stunted growth.

“I am 1.26 metres tall,” said Ms Khumri.

“Dubai is a wonderful place, but it is very common here that when a person is different, people turn around to look. We do get that everywhere.”

She said that sometimes, she worries about her daughter’s future.

“There is a lot of awareness being spread, so I do hope that by the time she is a teenager, there is more knowledge and awareness and she won’t face too much difficulty,” she said. “But it is a tough world.”

There are 200 types of dwarfism. Ms Khumri was born with achondroplasia, the most common form.

Those who have achondroplasia have a 50 per cent chance of their children inheriting the gene. During her fourth month of pregnancy, Ms Khumri was told her daughter did.

“There was a guilt factor,” said Ms Khumri. “But then I am so glad Zoya is in our lives.”

She believes the world was made for those of average height or taller.

“They do not consider us in many public places, especially toilets or supermarket counters.”

When in a queue, the Dubai resident said she was often overlooked by the person at the counter.

Her stature also made her feel at danger in public places, such as car parks, in case she or her family were not seen by motorists.

Ms Khumri felt many people associate intelligence and ability with height.

“I don’t know why people like to mock something that is God-gifted. We have a normal intelligence level. It would be great if there was more opportunities on a normal front.”

• Ms Khumri runs a support group for dwarfism.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/groups/littlepeopleofuae/