[Health Talk Talk] 131cm Small Giant "Having a can-do attitude is the most important thing." Professor Michael Ain of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine examines Ms. Miryeong. Ms. Miryeong, a patient with short stature, has grown 22.5cm in height through 7 surgeries. However, her muscle strength is weak, and leg pain does not disappear even after walking a little. Professor Ain's advice is to swim diligently along with stretching. Laughter overflows at the wit of avoiding high-heeled shoes. <Yun Miryeong / Short Stature Patient> "I feel a little more trust. Because you are the person involved. Because you know better how it is. I think it's good that you can tell me more about it." Nayonghee, a singer, is encouraged by Professor Ain's treatment. She wanted to have surgery, but she was worried that she wouldn't be able to dance, but she is excited to hear that she can jump even after the surgery. <Na Yonghee / Short Stature Patient> "Can I dance? (Dance? Of course!) Really? Wow!" Professor Ain, who overcame his short stature of 131cm and became a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. People filling the auditorium listen to Professor Ain's confession. The story of submitting applications to thirty medical schools and being rejected by all of them, and yet submitting applications to thirty medical schools again the following year and becoming a doctor, draws applause. <Michael Ain / Professor of Pediatric Orthopedics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine> "I thought doctors would be the least prejudiced people, but doctors were the most prejudiced. All that is needed is one thing...a big heart. It's the heart to work really hard." Professor Ain emphasizes that being short is not a disease in itself. He emphasizes that if you live hard as you are, you can become anything, whether you are a baseball player, a doctor, or an actor. <Michael Ain / Professor of Pediatric Orthopedics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine> "I was so happy to meet short stature patients and families in Korea. I hope you will remember that even if you have short stature, there is nothing you cannot do rather than medical advice." Short stature refers to people whose height is 140cm or less for adults. Hormonal abnormalities, chromosomal abnormalities, and other pathological cases, familial short stature, and constitutional growth delay are the main causes. However, short stature patients are only short, but their abilities are by no means inferior. <Song Hae-ryong / Professor of Pediatric Orthopedics, Korea University Guro Hospital> "(People usually) think that if you are short, you will not be able to...social activities or professional fields... (They misunderstand.) But there is no problem with the ability, only the height is short, so I hope that the wrong prejudices about height that our society has will disappear." Professor Michael Ain, who overcame his short stature and became a role model for children in the same situation. His happy appearance as the father of two daughters is in itself a hope for short patients.

Yonhap News Wang Jiwoong.

[Health Talk Talk] 131 cm Small Giant, "Believe and you shall prove them wrong"

Michael Ain is an achondroplastic patient, with a height of 131 cm.

He is also a pediatric orthopedic surgeon from the John Hopkins Hospital.

He is in a consultation with Miss Mi Ryoung Yoon.

Ms. Yoon was diagnosed with achondroplasia, a disease resulting in short stature.

However through seven limb lengthening surgeries, her height has increased by 22.5 cm.

Unfortunately, she now has leg pain, a common complication of the lengthening surgery.

Dr. Ain's recommendation is “More stretch exercises and swimming.”

He wittily adds "No more high heels."

"I trust him more because he knows what it feels like to have achondroplasia.

Ms. Yong-Hee Na, a singer, is very pleased with the outcome of her consultation.

She is relieved to hear that she can continue to dance even after her surgery.

"Can I dance after surgery?" (Dancing? Of Course!) "Really?, Awesome!"

Dr. Ain had to face many obstacles and challenges associated with being an achondroplast before becoming a surgeon.

His speech captivated the audience’s full attention.

He recalls how he submitted 60 applications to different medical schools over a period of 2 years.

He also adds, “All but one was rejected.”

“I had always thought that doctors were the least prejudiced of all. However, I was utterly wrong. All I wanted from them was to understand that I would work extremely hard, but they were all fixated on my physique.”

He emphasises that being shorter than average is not a disease or illness.

He firmly believes that you can achieve anything with hard work, regardless of being an achondroplast or not.

“I was extremely glad to see patients with achondroplasia in Korea. I would like Korea to remember that anyone can succeed in anything regardless of their stature.”

Achondroplasts are by definition people with height less than 140 cm.

Dysfunctional hormone secretion, chromosomal defects and familial history are few of the main causes of achondroplasia.

“People generally believe that being short is a great disability which hinders everyday life. This is a huge misunderstanding and I hope one day we would see a world without prejudice.”

Dr. Ain is a role model to many achondroplasts.

He is a father of two daughters, and his life story is an inspiration to many.

This was Ji-Woong Wang of YonHap News.

[Source]

Yonhap News TV [Health Talk Talk] "131cm Small Giant - Having a can-do attitude is the most important thing" broadcast. 2014.11.29

[Health Talk Talk] 131cm Small Giant, "Believing that I can do anything is of greatest import". 2014.11.29

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