Little Duo Promotes Big Message (a rescue story...and more)

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.theanimalrescuesite.com/quaden-buddy/?

Quaden Bayles is no taller than your average mailbox, but together with Buddy — a rescued Shih Tzu with Dwarfism like Quaden’s — the pair are standing tall and spreading an important message.

Quaden was diagnosed with achondroplasia shortly after he was born. The most common form of dwarfism, achondroplasia is a genetic disorder that prohibits bone growth and can lead to other serious health issues. Now only 5 years old, Quaden has undergone four major surgeries, each requiring anesthetic procedures that were especially risky given his condition.



Every surgery is either going to kill him or save him,” says Quaden’s mother Yarraka Bayles.

Unfortunately, Quaden’s dwarfism isn’t just a physical issue. It comes with a social stigma, one which the boy, his Shih Tzu, and his mother are taking on with the campaign Stand Tall 4 Dwarfism. The campaign raises awareness of dwarfism and fights the stigma surrounding it.

FULL story at link.