Charli, an Australian woman with achondroplasia, and her husband Cullen, who lives with acromelic dysplasia, began their journey toward parenthood full of excitement but also aware of the challenges they would face. They married in 2012 with a deep desire to start a family, although they knew the process would not be easy. There was a genetic risk of passing on their respective conditions, and even, in the worst-case scenario, their child could inherit both, which could be fatal. When Charli became pregnant in 2015, doctors advised her to terminate the pregnancy due to potential complications.
But Charli and Cullen decided to cling to hope. Early genetic testing ruled out the most dangerous scenario, and that gave them a boost. Thus, Tilba, their first child, was born with achondroplasia, the same condition Charli’s mother and brother also have. Although there was a possibility of spinal problems, doctors were optimistic and confident she would lead a healthy life. This experience marked the beginning of the couple’s courageous mission: to change the way the world views families with dwarfism.
Hoping to break stigmas and normalize their differences, Charli and Cullen opened an Instagram account after Tilba’s birth. Through sincere and joyful posts—from beach getaways to tender everyday scenes—they shared both their challenges and happy moments. Their story immediately touched hearts, offering an authentic and empathetic window into an often misunderstood reality.
The family grew again in 2018 with the arrival of a son who inherited Cullen’s condition, and in 2020 they celebrated the birth of their third baby, this time of average height. However, Charli’s pregnancies weren’t easy: they included physical pain, fainting, severe nausea, and the emotional stress of undergoing risky genetic testing. Even so, their love and commitment to creating the family they had always dreamed of never wavered.
