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.

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

The camp is located north of Los Angeles near Lake Hughes, CA (map and directions). On-site state-of-the-art medical clinic, medical staff, and camp counselors are available at all times. For more information please visit the Painted Turtle 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 Tammie Waldo or Tracey Thompson or leave a voicemail at the national LPA office, (714) 862-4247.

Conference Registration: LPA members will receive the information and registration packet by mail in early autumn. The packet will also be available online for download and mail-in.

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.

Membership in LPA is required in order to register for the conference and to take advantage of the special hotel room rate. 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.

To volunteer at the conference, please contact Stacy Faught by email to kfaught@comcast.net. Help is needed in the Kid's Room, Registration, Teen Events, Young Adult Outings, Hospitality, Banquet, etc. The conference committee would LOVE to have you on the team!

To donate to the LPA National Conference, please contact Lois Lamb by email to littlelogl@aol.com. You can donate any amount. Every penny counts and can be used in some way. Other donations such as a Wii or games for the Teen Room, etc. are also needed. If you or someone you know can donate these types of items, please let us know. Lois Lamb has a donation letter that she can send you or the person willing to donate. Checks need to be made out to: 2012 Little People of America (LPA) National Conference and mailed to Lois Lamb.

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.

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.

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.