Emily was adopted from Russia, where she was born with a condition called diastrophic dysplasia. In this video, she talks about the challenges she's faced, both practical (like driving a car) and profound (losing her adoptive mom at age 15). With multiple surgeries now behind her, Emily plans to go to college and live by the philosophy tattooed on her arm: Fear is the limit. Back to Articles Related Articles Growth Problems In most cases, teens who are small are just physically maturing a bit more slowly than their friends. Occasionally, though, there's a medical reason why some kids and teens stop growing. Find out about growth problems and how doctors can help. Read More Dwarfism A dwarf is a short-statured person whose adult height is 4 feet 10 inches or under. Find out what happens when a person has dwarfism and why some people are born with it. Read More Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Steven's Story (Video) Steven was diagnosed with SMA when he was 3. Here's a look at his life today and why he says, "When someone tells you you can't do something, don't be afraid to try something new." Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.