From serious spinal surgery to police dispatcher

A charity fundraiser who lives with a form of dwarfism is celebrating five years in a job with people he says have been "really supportive since day one".

Andrew Smith, 40, from Maldon, says becoming a dispatcher with Essex Police was "down to luck" after serious surgery on his spine.

The father-of-two said he also found it difficult to apply for work, as many companies were unable to facilitate the adaptations he needed due to his achondroplasia.

He said his message to others struggling against the stigma of disability was "if you have a dream, go for it".

Achondroplasia is the most common form of dwarfism and affects one in 25,000 people in the UK, according to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Seven years ago, Mr Smith had spinal decompression surgery due to his vertebrae squeezing his spinal cord and causing loss of sensation, affecting his ability to walk.

Mr Smith has managed a coffee shop franchise and set up his own brewing business, CafeGym, and has been chairman of Little People UK for two years.

The charity was co-founded in 2012 by a group of individuals including the Star Wars and Harry Potter star Warwick Davies and his late wife, Samantha.

Mr Smith has been attending the charity's events for many years with his wife, Laura - who also has achondroplasia - and their two children who do not have the condition.

He said that going to the events was a "breath of fresh air" and a "safe place" for the family, as one of their children had faced issues at school.

He has also cycled 100 miles for charity.

He described Essex Police as "like a family to work for", providing the adaptations he needed at work, including a modified keyboard and desk chair.

Mr Smith said adapted provisions were "only easy [to access] if you know were to look".

He added: "There is a misconception that people with dwarfism aren't disabled, just short, but that's not the case."

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