I am 6FT tall but my whole family has dwarfism – here’s what it’s like

A man who stands at an impressive six feet tall has revealed what it was to like grow up in a family of parents and siblings who all have dwarfism. 

Peet Montzingo, from Los Angeles, California, fits society’s mold of what someone ‘should look like’, however in his family he frequently felt like an outsider due to his slightly above average height. 

Peet was raised in a family where everyone has dwarfism – which is defined as an adult height of four feet 10 inches or less – and spent his childhood watching his parents, Vicki and Darrell, and siblings, Jennifer and Andrew, get bullied and photographed by strangers. 

The six-foot tall man even sometimes wished he was a ‘dwarf’ so that he could feel less guilty about fitting into a crowd. 

Peet (pictured with his mom Vicki) was raised in a family where everyone has dwarfism – which is defined as an adult height of four feet 10 inches or less

The six-foot tall man even sometimes wished he was a ‘dwarf’ so that he could feel less guilty about fitting into a crowd

Speaking to Today, Peet detailed what it was like being raised in a family of people with short statures. 

He explained that he always ‘hated’ when people gawked at his family, adding that he was ‘always ready to fight someone.’ 

According to Vicki, as a little boy Peet would often say, ‘Mom I wish I was a dwarf.’ 

She added: ‘He fit society’s idea of what a person should look like, but at home, he felt like the odd man out.’ 

And Peet’s tall stature caused him and his brother Andrew, who is a third grade teacher from South Carolina, to have a strained relationship growing up. 

Andrew, who has a rare form of dwarfism, spent many days in and out of the hospital for spine surgeries and breathing problems. Because of this, Peet admitted he was often jealous of the attention his brother received.  

Similarly, Andrew resented Peet for his height, good health, and ability to more easily participate in sports.

Andrew said: ‘There was some jealousy because I love sports. We played little league together and he’d be the kid out in the left field picking daisies, and not competing. 

‘And I’m like, “Peet, you have the perfect build and you’re not even putting it to good use. Switch bodies with me.”‘

However, as they grew older, Andrew began to recognize that Peet experienced challenges as well. 

When the family went to amusement parks,  the family members who have dwarfism weren’t allowed to get on every ride due to their height and Peet felt bad going alone. 

Peet was also extremely sensitive about his family was treated. 

Speaking to Today, Peet (pictured with Vicki and brother Andrew) detailed what it was like being raised in a family of people with short statures

And Peet’s tall stature caused him and his brother Andrew, who is a third grade teacher from South Carolina, to have a strained relationship growing up

Now, Andrew and Peet have reconciled and Peet spends his time creating content on his TikTok account where he helps advocate for those with dwarfism

‘I definitely sensed anger and sadness from him when we were younger,. 

‘The pointing, the stares and the name calling — the name calling really got to him,’ Andrew explained. 

Now, Andrew and Peet have reconciled and Peet spends his time creating content on his TikTok account where he helps advocate for those with dwarfism. 

Peet – who boasts 12.7 million followers on the video-sharing platform – tends to joke about being the ‘real life Buddy the Elf.’ 

He told Today: ‘I feel like I’ve finally found my place in the world. I’m educating people about differences. I get so many messages that are like, “You’ve changed my perspective, thank you for opening my eyes.”‘

Last year, Peet published a children’s book titled ‘Little Imperfections: A Tall Tale of Growing Up Different.’

Vicki said she’s extremly proud of her son and loves that he is helping the world see those suffering with Dwarfism differently. 

‘We may look different, and we may move differently, but inside we’re all the same,’ she said.