Not your average 15-year-old, Zinni from North Carolina, USA, has achondroplasia, the most common type of dwarfism. He has undergone four major surgeries "which is nothing compared to other people with dwarfism".

At the age of 14, while most teenagers use the Internet to form clubs dedicated to the hottest movie stars and favourite sports, Matthew founded one committed to helping people like himself.

"I saw a lot of 'support groups' for various minorities, but none for people with dwarfism", he says, adding that he wanted the club to be "a great place for relationships to be formed, questions to be asked, and opinions to be shared". It works too, with just over a 100 members from different religions and ethnic backgrounds: "They can come here to relate with each other. It gives them friends and advice, and lets them know they aren't alone," says Matthew.

The club isn't the only one online. Other groups and organisations dedicated to dwarfism also exist. Like the Little People of America (LPA), which provides support and information to people of short stature and their families. It has medical data, instructions on how to join discussion groups, as well as an adoption service that tries to link dwarf children with prospective parents. Cara Egan, vice president of public relations for LPA, Inc. says, “Our site provides a forum for sharing information about the challenges of living with dwarfism and how to meet them.” It also offers information on adaptive products for the home, school, or office; career issues; self-esteem issues; and state and national policy issues that affect people with dwarfism.

On a broader level, LPA gives people with dwarfism a voice in the national and state policy arena, and has successfully advocated for electronic payment mechanisms for people with dwarfism.

Then there is the Human Growth Foundation, aimed at helping people who have growth hormone disorders, through education, research and advice. They also have support lists for parents of children with these disorders, and adult patients.

Are these associations of any help? One member says, "I go through what every little person goes through, like stares and laughter, which is why the friends I have made through the LPA have been very supportive". The backing of people suffering from the same disability acts as a morale booster for most, while shared experiences give them strength to overcome all other obstacles.

One member of Matthew's club, for instance, recalls: "I recommended Dr Steven Koppits (of St Joseph Hospital in Maryland) to a woman in search of a paediatrician specialising in skeletal deformities. Dr. Koppits is a big name because of the research he has done to help people with dwarfism, and I felt happy letting that woman know whom she could turn to".

Matthew admits that though he is a pretty strong activist among the dwarf community, a lot of club members have opened his mind to new things. They also give advice on relationships and have supported others in making decisions.

While these support systems don't further the chances of a cure for dwarfism, they definitely help in fostering a spirit of acceptance among members. Matthew concludes, "I am very proud of my appearance and although it would be nice to be average, I wouldn't really want to be any taller than I am".

Now that's a big thought, isn't it?