Dwarfism

by Adelson, Betty M.; Hall, Judith G.

• ISBN13: 9780801881213
• ISBN10: 0801881218
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-07-05
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins Univ Pr

Summary

This landmark volume is the first to trace the exciting developments in the field of dwarfism research and treatment over the past century -- particularly during the past fifty years. Dr. Betty M. Adelson, a psychologist, has unearthed and synthesized the most significant information about dwarfing conditions, from articles written a century ago to current books and specialized databases. Highlighting the outstanding contributions of Dr. Victor McKusick and several of his colleagues, Dr. Adelson reveals how dwarfism specialists have helped redefine the nature of medical care -- transforming it from an authoritarian enterprise into a holistic, collaborative venture among physicians, affected individuals, and their families. The parent of an adult dwarf daughter, Adelson examines the social forces that affect the dwarfism community. She offers personal descriptions of the day-to-day challenges dwarf individuals face and portrays their accomplishments. Insightful and accessible, this work will prove a valuable resource for affected individuals, their families, and medical professionals -- physicians, nurses, genetic counselors, social workers, psychologists, and medical students.

Author Biography

Betty M. Adelson spent most of her career as a psychologist in private practice. She was formerly on the counseling staffs of Queens College and New York University's School of Education. She is the author of a cultural history, The Lives of Dwarfs: Their Journey from Public Curiosity toward Social Liberation.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Preface	p. xv
Introduction	p. 1
Medical Aspects	p. 7
Psychosocial Aspects	p. 115
The Birth of a Child: Parent Issues and Outreach	p. 157
Organizations: From Self-Help to Advocacy	p. 184
Lives Today	p. 212
Appendixes
Dwarfism: Conditions and Descriptions	p. 287
Resources: Medical and Support Groups	p. 298
Notes	p. 309
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

"This book is one of the best, most thorough overviews published on dwarfism-related topics. The text is well written, but from the heart, in a way that makes it particularly useful for those who appreciate having scholarly information presented within a meaningful personal and social context. This is a volume that everyone dealing with short stature will want to read and then keep for future reference." -- From the foreword by Judith G. Hall, O.C., M.D.