LPA Core Values

LPA’s core values are fundamental beliefs or principles that guide our organization's work and decision-making. As our organization continues to grow and evolve, these values help us to define what we stand for, and give a framework for how staff, volunteers, and stakeholders interact and collaborate while serving the organization’s mission.

Supporting all of us for each of us

LPA brings together people from every region, culture, community, ethnicity, faith, family, and other identities that define us. Everyone comes to LPA with their own story and history of how they got here, and all of them are welcome. Once a part of our community, we work to create a supportive environment where everyone feels free to be their true selves and show their strengths.  

How this shows up

    • We create multiple channels of communication to provide resources that extend beyond our national conference and are available for support year-round to members and non-members. 
    • We aim to make all events accessible and inclusive for all attendees to enjoy.
    • We offer affinity groups and support networks within our organization that honors a person’s intersectionality and whole person identity.
    • We celebrate successes and accomplishments of those in our community who share their stories.

Don't deny. Embrace

Dwarfism and skeletal dysplasia are not conditions to overcome or conquer. Dwarfism is a part of all of us that we honor and celebrate. Our work does not focus on giving members the tools towards fitting into a mold the world has made for people. We give our community the knowledge, validation, and motivation to break the mold and feel value, dignity, and pride in who they are and who they can be.

How this shows up

    • We empower people to discover and create a world where self love is not questioned.
    • We don’t use phrases that call out our height as a negative identifier such as “despite their size” or “small but mighty.”
    • We promote a social model of health care rather than a medical model.

Act with strategic resilience

We take action when we are presented with injustices, misconceptions, or antiquated attitudes that limit or block our ability to live in a world free from prejudicial treatment. Our advocacy efforts are intentional, thoughtful, and approached as a team with the goal of having a lasting positive impact. 

How this shows up

    • We build partnerships with other advocacy and support organizations to unite against injustice.
    • We advocate for and support legislation and policy changes that further advances or aligns with our mission.
    • We give tools, tips, and strategies to empower everyone to be their own advocate at a local, regional, or national level.

Pay it forward

We honor the rich history of trailblazers, changemakers, advocates, and allies that came before us to build this organization into what it is today. We strive to continue their legacy and tradition of strengthening our community for future generations while growing and evolving alongside the changing world. 

How this shows up

    • We work to preserve our history and story to use for both education and celebration.
    • We honor dwarfism culture that has organically developed throughout time and welcome new community members to share in that cultural experience.
    • We encourage volunteerism and provide opportunities for members to give back as fellow stewards and leaders of the organization.
    • We amplify voices of those with knowledge, expertise, and lived experience to help mentor the next generation of changemakers.