Colleen Gioffreda was such a dynamic and charismatic guest in this episode of “It Happened To Me” we had to share it on DNA Today! Our host Kira Dineen is the Executive Producer on this podcast and joins as a guest host in this episode. 

Colleen is the Clinical Operations Program Administrator for the Greenberg Center for Skeletal Dysplasias in the Department of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She handles patient inquiries, coordinates the Little People of America (LPA) Medical Advisory Board clinics at the national conferences and regionals, provides school/social resources to patients and parents, and also manages budgets and databases. 

In her volunteer life, Colleen is LPA’s Adoption Coordinator, and has helped facilitate the adoptions of over 400 children with dwarfism for the past seventeen years. She is also the Chair of the LPA Conference Management Committee and is a member of LPA’s Medical Advisory Board. 

Colleen is lucky enough to answer to the name of ‘Mom’ to her four children, who also all happen to have achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. She views having achondroplasia as an opportunity, and feels fortunate to have experienced such a unique and rich adventure in life. 

Episode Highlights:

Understanding Terminology and Accommodations:

• Appropriate terms for individuals with achondroplasia and skeletal dysplasias.

Home Modifications and Misconceptions:

• Recommended home alterations for individuals affected by dwarfism.

Employment and Workplace Challenges:

• Employment roadblocks faced by little people and necessary workplace accommodations.

Career Path and Key Responsibilities:

• Colleen’s journey towards helping the skeletal dysplasia community.

School and Social Resources:

• Providing school and social resources to patients and parents.

Adoption Advocacy:

• Motivations for becoming involved in adoption advocacy.

LPA Conference Management:

• Involvement in the LPA Conference Management Committee and the significance of organizing conferences.

Parental Support:

• Approaching support and resources for parents raising children with achondroplasia.

Community Advocacy and Medical Collaboration:

• Pressing issues within the dwarfism community and advocacy efforts.

Personal and Professional Perspective:

• Influence of personal experience with achondroplasia on professional approach.

Future Hopes and Advice:

• Hopes for the future of care and support for individuals with dwarfism.

Colleen Gioffreda shares invaluable insights into the world of dwarfism, from personal experiences to professional advocacy. Her work with the Greenberg Center and LPA highlights the importance of community, support, and dedicated advocacy for individuals with skeletal dysplasias. Be sure to check out more episodes of “It Happened To Me”. 

Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 300 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios. 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our logo Graphic Designer Ashlyn Enokian.

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