Tough year for short celebrities

I just found out Gary Coleman has passed away. On May 16th, the world lost Heavy Metal music icon Ronnie James Dio to stomach cancer.

Gary was about 4'8" tall and Ronnie was about 5'4" tall. Many short statured people find inspiration in these two extraordinary individuals. Gary faced tremendous adversity in his life. Yet he has left his indelible mark on the world. His legacy as a gifted actor will continue on for years to come. Ronnie was a musical powerhouse who stood out as one of the most talented rock singers of all time.

The story of these two men reveal the truth. Short stature is not an inferior trait. These men will live on in the hearts and minds of their fans. Thank you for blessing all of us with your talent...

NOSSA receives complaint re: school bus service

NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults, Inc. is in receipt of a complaint regarding a school bus service in Tacoma, Washington.

The complaint alleges:

On March 31,2010 I was hired for a school bus driving position for a school bus service in Tacoma, Wa. I reported for training April 1st and took my D.O.T. physical and passed on Friday, April 2nd. I continued on with my training on April 5th. By April 8th, after driving for two days, the Supervisor in charge was made aware that the seat belt on 'some' of the buses would not fit me properly. The reason the seat belt would not fit was because of my height of 4'9" (4'10" with sneakers). I had to move the seat far forward on this particular bus, and the seat belt would not extend. The Supervisor told me that since the seat belts on some buses would not extend, she could not hire me. I suggested a seat belt extender. She said it was unacceptable and against policy.

I have been a bus driver for almost 10 years (6 of those years driving a school bus), I know a seat belt extender is not a safety infraction nor are they against the law. Many over weight drivers use them.

When you're first hired as a Bus Driver with a big company, you start out on 'stand by'. When a driver is on stand by, they are never assigned the same bus. It is my opinon, this supervisor did not want to do her homework. If a seat belt extender is against policy, she would have to check every bus to see if the belt extended far enough. It was easier to let me go.

NOSSA is contacting the company in hopes of receiving an explanation regarding this situation. We will post a response if one is issued from the company.

*** UPDATE *** NOSSA received the following response from the bus service:

Dear Mr. Hamre, the safety of the children we transport is our top priority. The person in question was not employed by us. While they did attend training for two days, we cannot comment on the decision to not hire them. Respectfully,
General Manager

Apathy

One of my favorite quotes was made by stand-up comic Bill Maher, when he said, (paraphrasing here) "I am angry about alot of things. I'll tell you what I'm mostly pissed off about. I'm mostly pissed off that not enough people are pissed off."

I think that really sums up the frustration of the heightism activist. Most people simply don't care. People just want to go on about living their lives. They want to make the most of the time they have and not sit around dwelling on the fact that they are short and the challenges that they face because of it.

Why bother joining NOSSA? What good will it do? At the end of the day I'll still be short and nothing will have changed.

We've compiled a list of some of the benefits of uniting together with NOSSA. You can review the list by clicking here.

I think it's very important to not allow yourself to have a negative and/or apathetic attitude when it comes to these types of issues.

Change starts from within and can certainly work it's way throughout society like a wildfire. But only if you let it. Only if you abandon the apathy and take action....

We will not forget John Carmichael

13 year old John Carmichael of Joshua, Texas will not be forgotten. Bullying smaller kids must stop. How many more children will we let die?

http://www.truecrimereport.com/2010/03/jon_carmichael_13_hangs_himsel.php

Support NOSSA to help make a change

If you feel that heightism is wrong - please support NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults

by joining the organization or


donating to the organization

and becoming active with the members by participating on the NOSSA Forums or attending events. NOSSA is YOUR organization if you are a short statured adult. So take part and make a difference!

President Hamre testifies in support of height/weight bill

NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults, President Christopher Hamre testified for the 2nd time in Boston, Massachusetts in support of H1850 an act proposed by Rep. Byron Rushing prohibiting height/weight discrimination in the state of Massachusetts. Contact the elected reps in Massachusetts and tell them you support this bill. http://www.mass.gov/legis/city_town.htm

NOSSA Announces new Board of Directors

The new Board of Directors for NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults is:

Term 2010 - 2013

Board of Directors (Term expires 01/14/2014)

Chairman/President - Christopher Hamre
Vice-Chairman/Vice-President - Deborah Burris-Kitchen, PhD.
Secretary - Brian Peterson
Treasurer - Matthew Campisi

Please join us in welcoming our new board!

Happy Holidays from NOSSA!

NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults wishes you and your family a very safe and happy holiday season!

NOSSA elects new board of directors

The members of NOSSA - National Organization of Short Statured Adults, cast their vote for the next board of directors.Voting will end officially on December 31st. Congratz to all of the candidates and thank you to every member who voted.

Attn: NOSSA Voting Members

If you are a voting member of NOSSA, please click here and confirm you are on this list (forum registration required - click here to request registration). If you are not on the list and you feel that you should be, contact us here and let us know. We will verify your membership status and get back with you. Only those folks on this list will be permitted to vote in the November elections.

Please exercise your right to vote for the next NOSSA Board of Directors on November 8, 2009.

Excruciating lengths to reach "perfection"

NOSSA transparency policy - online records

NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults, Inc. maintains a firm organization transparency policy for our members. To this end, we are now proud partners with the leading source of information regarding U.S. non-profits, GuideStar.org. For public records pertaining to the NOSSA organization (charity verification, 990 forms, reports and records), please visit the following link.

Chris Hamre responds to LPA action regarding the term "midget"

NOSSA Supports LPA denouncement of the term "midget"

NOSSA supports LPA in calling for the FCC to ban the term "midget" from TV. This term is derogatory and offensive.

Michael Jackson

"An extraordinarily talented man who has left this earth far too soon. Rest in peace Michael."
- Matt

"Loss of an icon; a true talent and his popularity unmatched by his peers."
- Chris

Our Own Worst Enemy

Pre-election message from NOSSA President

Members and Supporters,

Please join me in wishing our election candidates good luck with their upcoming campaigns for positions on the NOSSA Board of Directors.

I have faith that our next Board will do an outstanding job advocating for short statured adults.

As some of you have already heard through the grapevine, I will not be seeking re-election for President next term. The reason is because I believe it is time to give someone else a chance to drive this NOSSA choo-choo train.

I have really enjoyed my time as President and I am honored to have had the chance to represent you.

I will be happy to share my candidate endorsements with you over the next few months.I will do so only in private forums out of respect for all of our candidates. I hope you will take the time to learn about them and vote in November for your next board.

Thank you for your support of NOSSA.

With much hope and enthusiasm for the future...

Respectfully,

Matt
Chairman/President
NOSSA
National Organization Of Short Statured Adults,Inc.

NOSSA documentary set to begin filming/board candidates getting set to run

NOSSA will begin filming soon for an upcoming documentary about the organization and about the issue of heightism. We will keep you updated on the progress of the film and provide more information about how you can view it as information becomes available. NOSSA previously participated in the documentary: S&M:Short & Male which was broadcast on CTV in Canada!

In a little over a month, the new candidates for the NOSSA Board of Directors will begin their campaigns for office. We wish the candidates good luck and we thank them for their willingness to step up in a leadership role for the organization.

Please Participate In Our Survey

NOSSA Needs Your Feedback - Please complete our feedback form and send it in. Click here to participate!

Only 3 Months Left To Announce Your Candidacy

NOSSA Members interested in running for a position on the Board of Directors have until June 8, 2009 to announce their candidacy for office. For more information go to http://www.nossaonline.org/news/pressreleases.html