Showing the World That Little People Can Lead Big Lives
Dr. Jennifer Arnold
It’s not the plot of “Little Couple,” the newest reality show on TLC, that is extraordinary, but rather the stars. The show centers on Bill Klein and Jen Arnold whose dwarfism is secondary to the daily trials of being newlyweds and building a life together.
According to The Little People of America, there are an estimated 300 types of dwarfism. Jen, also known as Dr. Jennifer Arnold, was born with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, or SED, in which a random genetic mutation causes abnormal collagen formation. This led to her dwarfed stature; she stands 3 feet, 2 inches.
Arnold, a pediatrician, neonatal specialist and assistant professor of pediatrics, was determined to live a full, productive life despite her size.
“Everyone has to make an individual choice of what is the right career path for them, but it is hard when people choose roles that are primarily perpetuating stereotypes.”
She has more than succeeded in finding a way to participate in the world on her own terms. Entering medical school she decided to specialize in other small people – the littlest babies in the neo-natal unit.
When children ask her why she is different, she explains that some people are made tall, some are short and she happens to be really little. “Children usually accept that and move on.”
According to Vitals, Jennifer received her medical degree at John Hopkins University and completed an internship in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She is presently the Medical Director of The Pediatric Simulation Center in Texas Children’s Newborn Center as well as Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine.
Fans of “Little Couple” can expect to be inspired and entertained as they watch Bill and Dr. Jen move to a new city, buy a home and contemplate starting a family as they negotiate the usual ups and downs newlyweds face.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. JENNIFER L. ARNOLD
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Tags: Baylor College of Medicine, Bill Klein, Dr. Jennifer L. Arnold, Jen Arnold, Little Couple, pediatrician, SED, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, Texas Children’s Newborn Center, TLC, vitals
Jeff Flanders | June 19, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Dr. Arnold saved my son’s life and is one of our household heros. My son was born 1lb 10oz in a hospital in Johnstown, PA. They had given up on our son and told us he would die by morning. They gave us the option of life flighting my son to Pittsburgh’s Childrens Hospital. When the helicopter arrived you can imagine my surprise to see Dr Arnold walking in. I got down on one knee and she took my hand and said my son would be ok. She had my son stabilized in 1 hour and called my cell phone while we were driving to Pittsburgh. She is an angel. My son is 2 1/2 and is our blessing from god. We love you Jen
Jennifer S. McCarthy | July 7, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Jen,
I hope you read this. Have you thought about a surrogate? I am not a registered surrogate but I live in Hutto Tx and I will be willing to help out. I will give you full access to my medical records and names and numbers to my doctors. I am married with 3 kiddos ages 13yo, 12yo and a 14month old. I am 38yo so many surrogate agencies will not take women past 36yo. I am a stay at home mom.
If you and Bill do consider this, I will agree to your terms with the legal issues. I just love being pregnant but we do not want anymore children. I am about to start back on the depo shot again since I was breast feeding the first year and I couple months so I could not take the shot. As you know the reasons why.
I am also on facebook and you two can look at the ton of photos of my family.
J. Geiss | July 13, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Dr. Arnold:
Have you ever worked at Our Lady of Lourdes in Camden, N.J.? When my son was born, a team of neonatologists came in to assess him because of meconium. I remember a Little Person was on the team and she threw her stool on the floor under the bassinet and started working on my baby. I love the Little Couple show, and now I am just curious if that could have been “Jen” who cared for my newborn baby 8 years ago. So cool! If it was you, thanks so much for your help!!
Thanks,
EJ Geiss
.Margaret L. Mitchell, MSRN, CNS Director Nursing Resource and Simulation Lab | July 14, 2009 at 12:48 am
Hello Dr. Arnod: I happen to be viewing your soecial on TV when I realized you were about to give a presentation on simulation. I was excited because I am an MsRN and Director of our simulation la at Salisbury University in Maryland. We utilize SimMan and soon SimBaby. I am interested in anything you have written and published on the subject
Margaret L. Mitchell, MSRN, CNS Director Nursing Resource and Simulation Lab | July 14, 2009 at 12:53 am
I was watching your hit show and perked up when I realized you were to present on Simulation. Do you lecture very often?..if so is there a website listing these and dates> I was also wondering if you have published work on the subject. I teach nursing students using SimMan and soon Sim Baby. We are in the planning stages for a state of the art clinical lab. Would love to learn about the work you do!
Margaret…
Holly Santoro | July 16, 2009 at 9:34 am
Dear Dr. Arnold and Mr. Klein:
I have become a faithful viewer of your show, but there is such and important aspect of your sharing your lives with people whcih I know you are aware of, but this really is so important. Mky stepdaughter has a good friend who had a baby two years ago, who is a little person. She was almost two years old when she began to walk but it is so much fun to see her run around because she has made up for lost time! She is so steady and that seemed to happen so quickly. The thing that I wanted you both to know is that her mother has taped each show to allow her so see these as she grows older and needs to see them. What a gift you are both giving people since I know there have to be such a huge number of people doing the same things. Thanks so much for sharing your lives with everyone. I’m sure it is difficult sometimes! I wish you many, many years of happiness together! My husband had a severe heart attack 17 years ago and had anoxia with it. That journey has been unbelieveable but we are so blessed that he has come so far. We have a very good life and he is basically healthy and happy. The interesting thing is that, as I’m sure you are well aware of, there is great prejudice against that type of brain injury. It took a long time to accept that and also to find physicians who realize that he is indeed a whole person and understands what is happening since many times no matter what he or I said it was assumed that that was not the case. I vividly remember when he went into the hospital two years ago for the removal of a colon tumor the anesthesiologists both asked me if it were true he was anoxic because they said they had never seen a patient so responsive with anoxia. What a thrill that was! So, I guess it makes me much more aware that people learning about how others cope with difficult situations is so helpful and you both are doiing that on a such a large and important scale. As I said, please know you are wished many years of joy and happiness together!
Dona Krystosek | July 17, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Thank you!
Many SMiles~ Dona Krystosek, RN (little Levi’s Ma)
http://www.littleLevi.com
LOOK PAST DIFFERENCES
Jayne Smith, Knoxville, TN | July 30, 2009 at 8:08 am
Jennifer,
I’ve known you for 17 years in a long distance kind of relationship, but never have I been more proud to call you a friend as now when you’ve put your daily life, smiles, tears, challenges, and your wonderful giggle out there “naked” to the whole viewing audience. You are giving hope to so many people with a variety of challenges who are ready to give up and then they see you! Buddy, if you can do what you do… there’s no reason for anyone to slow down or stop! Keep going and I hope the series goes on and on… Give my best to your mom and dad next time you talk to them… Take care! P.S. I love your husband…
Sandy Hall | August 10, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Dear Dr. Jen,
I love your show so much!!!! I have not missed one episode. My husband and daughter love it also. We think you are the biggest inspiration for women of all sizes and ages. We think you are the sweetest woman in the world. Bill is so lucky to have you for his wife and we hope you can have the family you want so badly with him. Our prayers are with you. God bless you and your hubby. Love, Sandy xxxooooo
Joyce Hoffstetter | October 9, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Dear Dr. When will you and Bill be on again? We really love your show and have not seen it lately. Thank you
Ed and Barb | October 14, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Jen and Bill,
I just want to say (we want to say) that the two of you are such a wonderful, charming couple. We have the greatest respect for both of you, loved watching all your specials last year and are looking forward to watching your new series. We just love your outgoing and positive attitude, we can all learn from the both of you. You are never toooooo old or toooooo small to learn or do anything!
Hugs to you both
Ed and Barb
Betty Marschner | November 3, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Dear Dr. Jen,
You are truly an inspiration to our family. Our daughter, Paula, has SED. She is 4 ft 9 inches so is a giant! She is presently holding down a full time job and is going to college on the side. I know she would love to talk with you. Sadly, Paula has never found her mate for life. She has had many dates but not one has been interested in pursuing a relationship and alot of times she feels it is because of her condition. She is really busy with college right now and does not get the time to see your show like she would like to but I know she would really be thrilled to talk with you. She just had her second hip replacement surgery and had joint fusion at C1 and C2 when she was six. She is now 37 yrs of age and wonders if she will ever find a right match. She would like to marry too but it just seems life is passing her by. She is talented musically and has done very well in her college courses. If you could email her her email is pmarsch@hotmail.com her home phone number is 701-258-3544 and her cell is 701-240-3375. She is one of only two in the state of ND with this disease. I love watching you and feel you are a real role model to those who battle limitations. Good luch in all your endevours. Betty Marschner By the way, I raise and show Morgan horses!