Chandler Crews, a 31-year-old from Maryland, underwent limb lengthening surgeries starting at age 16 to address achondroplasia, a genetic disorder limiting bone growth. Born with dwarfism, she reached 3’10” by age 16 and struggled with daily tasks like washing her hair, driving, and using public restrooms.
She underwent a series of operations at the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics involving cutting and slowly stretching her bones. Over three surgeries performed between 2010 and 2013, Chandler gained nearly 13 inches in height, now standing just under 5 feet tall. She credits the surgeries with not only physical improvements like correcting bowed legs but also with granting her independence and improved social confidence.
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Chandler now runs The Chandler Project, advocating for people with achondroplasia. She stresses that living with the condition is challenging and sometimes tragic but emphasizes controlling one’s life and showing others how to live well with dwarfism.
