We can all be Martin Henderson.

     As a person with Dwarfism and a Disability, I have always carried myself with high confidence and regard, despite some of the ignorance that exists in the public, with those who try to create a mockery, tease, and exploit our differences, It can be the usual dropping of the M-Word, or other epithets, pictures being taken in public places for their own amusement, and even physical assaults.

   A couple of years ago, a man named Martin Henderson was assaulted in his home country of New Zealand, when a English Rugby team accosted him outside of a bar, picked him up, and threw him, leaving him with partial paralysis. Since then, Martin has struggled to maintain his balance and walks with the aid of braces. For longer distances, he requires a wheelchair. Unfortunately, these injuries took a toll, as he was wanting to pursue a career of acting, and he feels this might have derailed any opportunity. This assault trended in social media as other individuals with Dwarfism, as well as organizations such as,  Little People of America offered reactions, as well as support for Martin. Actor Peter Dinklage even gave him a shout out after winning his Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actor in the HBO Series, Game of Thrones, asking the audience within the theatre, and those at home to google his name and learn more about him. Dwarf Tossing, which is legal in many countries, as well as certain states in our country, is a taboo in our community,and it can lead to injuries such as paralysis and even death, Apparently, this rugby team felt it was their right to perform this act on Martin, but it's not the right of anyone to assault another individual.

  Individuals with Dwarfism are not the only ones subject to assaults, as there has been physical violence against those with Down Syndrome, Autism, individuals who use wheelchairs, and others, but never in a million years would I have thought I would been the subject of an assault, due to my disability. In fact, there were times as a kid that I faced name calling or bullying, but I was never assaulted due to having Dwarfism. Recently at an event, I was with all of my friends, both of Average Height, and Dwarfism, in the bar, reminiscing  great times, watching the World Series and just hanging back, when an average sized man came up behind me and assaulted me by smacking my rear end very hard. I turned around thinking it was someone in our group who was messing around, but I looked up and saw this average sized man, who I have never met, sitting there laughing at me. In anger, I asked him "Why did you hit me?" "I don't know you? "Why did you______ hit me? He then pointed at one of our friends, who happens to be an individual with Dwarfism, and said "They told me to do it.", in which that person responded " No, I did not." "I don't even know you!"  Of course my blood was boiling, and I told him "Do not ever touch me again" "Do not ever hit me!" By then, hotel staff and security were called, wanting to see what was going on and I responded "This person hit me and I want something done about it now! The hotel manager then told me to calm down, and I said "No!" "I was just assaulted!" "I'm not calming down!" And of course the staff tried to accuse our group of being belligerent, when that wasn't in the case, and we found out  later that the man was bothering other individuals with Dwarfism in the bar, by making comments, or even patting people's heads. The hotel manager then proceeded to call the police, since I wanted to talk to someone of higher authority and get this resolved. The police came out and pulled me aside and I explained my story, as my friends and even witnesses not involved with the group followed, agreeing with my report. They asked me if I wanted to press charges, but stated that the nature of the assault might not amount to anything, because it wasn't anything felonious, so I asked the kind officers to talk to the drunk person, in which they did and told him to stay away from the group.

   I was extremely upset with how the hotel handled this, since I fear that there has never been any diversity training regarding disabled patrons, or anyone with any differences, and what could happen next time, when a person is ridiculed for their difference.  Especially, if there is a situation that resembles the attack that Martin Henderson was subjected to. I am planning on following up with the corporate offices and others, to make sure my concerns are conveyed, so that this never happens again. Whether it's the responsibility of the bar staff, to keep their patrons at a respectable level, making sure other patrons are not subjected to any abuse, and to address the complaints and concerns of patrons, especially those with disabilities.  This is my hope, as I don't want any of us to face the same pain and have our rights threatened, as Martin Henderson did that night.