Little People of America (LPA) is a nonprofit organization that provides support and information to people of short stature and to their families. The organization was created in 1957 by Billy Barty and friends.

The national organization is divided into regional districts and local chapters. District 12 covers the local LPA chapters in the region of California and Nevada. Each local chapter is a group of families, friends, acquaintances, and professionals who are connected by experience with short stature.

On this site you will find information about our district, national organization, local chapters, contacts for more information about dwarfism, available resources, and how you can participate with us. You are welcome to contact us for more information, for support, or to join with everyone at the regional activities we hold during Spring and Autumn every year.

LPA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with dwarfism throughout their lives while celebrating with great pride Little People’s contribution to social diversity. LPA strives to bring solutions and global awareness to the prominent issues affecting individuals of short stature and their families.

It is with a heavy hearts that we receive the news of the passing of Yvette Farrington. Yvette passed away on January 20 after battling medical complications at UCSF Medical Center. Yvette had been in the hospital for the past month. Yvette was a longtime member of the chapter and is survived by her parents Jim and Yvonne, her sister Dana, and her longtime boyfriend Dan. An obituary notice is published in the Contra Cost Times.

Thursday night Memorial services, viewing and rosary:

4:00 PM Visitation
7:00 PM Vigil
Ouimet Brothers Funeral Chapel
4125 Clayton Road (map)
Concord, CA 94521
(925) 682-4242

Friday morning funeral Mass services:

10:00 AM Liturgy
St. Agnes Church
3966 Chestnut Avenue (map)
Concord, CA 94519

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in Yvette's name be made to:

Little People of America
Ste. 201
250 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780

or to your favorite charity. If you would like to send a note to the Farrington family, please contact Joe Foos for the address.

The San Diego Chapter of LPA is excited to be hosting the 2012 Spring Regional Conference Weekend for members of District 12 and beyond. The weekend of March 9-11, Friday through Sunday, we will be meeting at the lovely Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Liberty Station. The hotel is in downtown within a mile of the San Diego International Airport. Being centrally located in the city of San Diego, Liberty Station is an excellent location with Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, Legoland California, and the U.S./Mexico border all just minutes away. We invite you to come and join the fun in San Diego!

Courtyard by Marriott Liberty Station (website)
2592 Laning Road, San Diego CA 92106 (map and directions)
1 (619) 221-1900

• Make your hotel reservations early – the special room rate is available only until February 1, 2012
  • Special $119 room rate (plus applicable sales taxes) - single through quad occupancy
  • LPA special hotel room booking code: LPAA
  • Toll-free phone reservations:
    • 1 (800) 321-2211
  • On-line reservations links:
    • queen beds/doubles - lpaqueen
    • king beds - lpaking
  • Standard room rate applies after February 1: $249 (plus applicable sales taxes)

In order to guarantee the special room rate for Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10, you must make your own reservations by February 1 using the LPA special hotel room booking code. Conference registration postmarked by February 1 is required in order to receive the discounted LPA room rate. All postmarks, phone reservations and online applications need to be completed by February 1 for the discounted hotel room rate to be guaranteed by the conference committee.

Hotel Amenities

• FREE Complimentary
  • Parking
  • Airport Shuttle Service
  • Business center high-speed internet
  • Wireless & wired high speed in-room internet
• Discounted breakfast inside hotel restaurant TWENTYFIVE/92 for all LPA registered guests
• TWENTYFIVE/92 Lounge with three 52" HDTVs
• Heated pool with waterfront views

Conference Activities

• An Island Welcome Reception on Friday evening
• Kids Movie Night on Friday evening
• Kids Room on Saturday
• Tween and Teen Activities, Games and Meals on Friday and Saturday
• Workshops and Discussion Groups on Saturday
  • Parents Discussion Group
  • Los Padres Grupo de Discusión
  • Medical Consultations
  • Early Intervention Programs Discussion
  • Martial Arts Presentation and Demonstration: Breaking Down Barriers
  • Swimming Presentation and Demonstration: Safe and Fearless Swimming
• Little Island Getaway Banquet and Dance on Saturday evening
  • Don’t miss our Little Islanders showcase at the Saturday night banquet, featuring our young members and professional island dancers!

Within Walking Distance of the Hotel

• Outdoor Bocce Ball Court – onsite
• Brand New Park with Playground and bar-be-que facilities, the perfect venue for a group picnic
• Several Restaurants
  • including Corvette Diner (1950's vintage diner) – Corvette Diner has a full bar, restaurant and game room. Kids love the games there!
• Old Town Trolley
  • Leaves at 9:30 AM from next door, in front of the Homewood Suites
  • Returns at 4:30 PM
  • Tours Old Town and all around San Diego including Balboa Park and Coronado Island
  • Perfect for a day-long get away
  • Check out their website at www.trolleytours.com

San Diego Area Attractions

• Sea World and Mission Bay – 10 minute drive
• Sail Ho 9 Hole Golf Course – less than a mile
• San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park – 8 minute drive
• Gas Lamp District – 4.6 miles, 15 minute drive
• Boat Rentals – 10 minute drive
• Bike Rentals – 10 minute drive
• Horton Plaza Mall – 10 minute drive
• Sunset Cliffs, Point Loma and Ocean Beach – 8 minute drive
• Point Loma Lighthouse – 12 minute drive
• Old Town – 10 minute drive
• Coronado Island – 15 minute drive

Conference Registration: LPA members have received the information and registration packet by mail in December 2011. The packet is also available online for download and mail-in. Once your registration form is completely filled out with your checks payable to LPA San Diego, please mail to:

Stuart Moskovics c/o LPA San Diego
P.O. Box 501856
San Diego, CA 92150-1856

Remember:
** [1] If you make your hotel room reservation using the LPA code and mail your conference registration ALL on or before February 1, and the conference committee will be able to guarantee the special room rate.
** [2] If you decide that you are NOT ATTENDING the conference after booking a room, please contact Stuart Moskovics immediately to minimize confusion and prevent LPA from losing that room at the discounted rate.

Membership: If you are new to LPA or if you need to renew your membership, you may do so online or by submitting a membership form with your conference registration forms. Membership dues are $55 per household per year or $120 for 3 years; $35 per year for college/vocational students with proof of enrollment; $35 per year for international members; and $20 per year for seniors 65 years and older. If you cannot afford dues, you can apply for free membership due to financial hardship by contacting the LPA National Office.

Financial Assistance: Any paid LPA members that would like to attend a regional conference for the first time but cannot afford to, are encouraged to apply for financial assistance through the RAB-DAB fund. The RAB-DAB fund is a donation given by an anonymous family. To apply for consideration, please fill out the application and send it to Joe Foos, LPA District 12 Director.

To volunteer at the conference or for any questions, please contact Ellen Erenea.

The Painted Turtle
Friday-Wednesday, June 15-20, 2012
Lake Hughes, CA

The camp is located north of Los Angeles (map and directions). On-site state-of-the-art medical clinic, medical staff, and camp counselors are available at all times. Painted Turtle camp is located near Lake Hughes, CA. For more information please visit the web site, www.thepaintedturtle.org.

Last year 120 campers from across the nation participated in a wonderful and memorable week of camp. If you are interested in volunteering at camp, donating to the LPA transportation fund, or if you have any questions, please contact Joanna Campbell, (714) 862-4247.

The Magical Mask Storybook
The Magical Mask is an illustrated book for children about the use of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) mask. The new storybook is based on a story by Keren Stronach, co-vice president of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter 4. Keren originally wrote a story called The Magic Mask for her daughter, Talia, who was diagnosed with sleep apnea at the age of two. The story had an immediate effect on Talia, who requested that the story be read to her several times before agreeing to wear her mask.

After speaking to other parents who had trouble helping their kids adjust to therapy, Keren wanted to write a story that would help children feel more comfortable about wearing a mask. Keren hopes that the story will help to ease the process of introducing the mask to young children.

Copies of the book are available for free by calling ResMed: 1-800-424-0737 option 1. Thanks to Keren and ResMed, the story (illustrated by William Ross) is also available online.