A quick dash to the ATM might seem like an easy task, but it’s not so simple for Christine Phillips.
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At just 121 centimetres tall, the Sanctuary Point woman struggles to reach the keypad to make a withdrawal.
Reaching door handles, accessing public facilities and dealing with stairs are just some of the other challenges she faces.
While she said people are always willing to help, Christine is hoping to bring more awareness for people with short stature.
“Things are getting better but there’s still a lot of challenges that we face,” she said.
“It’s little things that people don’t think about. For example, at the entertainment centre it’s very difficult to take a seat because they flip up and I can’t sit down.”
Christine grew up in the state’s Central West with her two brothers and sister, all of whom are normal sized.
She later moved to Sydney and worked at House with No Steps. After later moving back to the Central West, Christine retired in 2000 and bought her home in the Shoalhaven.
While she faces daily challenges, Christine hasn’t let it slow her down.
She drives a car modified by her two brothers. Extension pedals allow her to drive, but the car is also designed to be driven by people of normal height too.
Her house isn’t modified. Instead, Christine uses stools to help her access tall cupboards.
While grocery shopping could prove difficult, Christine has good local support.
“I do my groceries at IGA in St Georges Basin and they’re great. I just click my finger and they help me get things down and carry it to my car,” she said.
“They’ve been wonderful.”
While Christine said she’s seen a couple of other short structure people in the Shoalhaven, there’s no local support group.
However, next month, she will travel to the Hunter Valley for the 2017 Annual National Convention of the Short Statured People of Australia Inc.
The event will celebrate its 50th anniversary and is organised by the Short Statured People of Australia.
The conventions program is devoted to supporting short statured people and their families, with a focus on empowering short statured people for the betterment of both the individual and society.
Christine is looking forward to a wine tour, a visit to the Hunter Valley Zoo – and spending time with others who understand what it’s like living in a world designed for six foot individuals.
