Height has always been my primary physical weakness. I border between 4'11" to 5' depending on the measuring tape being used. But in every 7-11 store, I am proud to say that I am within the 5' demarcation. (applause) In fact, my height deficiency (just like any vitamin or nutrient deficiency) was one of the determining factors why I wanted to be assigned in Pediatrics. I thought that I.V stands in the pediatric ward are much shorter than those in the adult wards. ( what a crap!) I am very much comforted in every short I.V stands by which I can effortlessly reached. But for those cursed stands, ten inches is the farthest that I could get to. And the worse scenario that could ever happen to me in trying so much to hook an I.V fluid was for my uniform sleeve to be actually ripped off. Honestly, this happens most of the time, that is why I have developed my running stitch or back stitching skills.
Back in grade school, I had experienced being second in the line, just right after a girl named Darlyn Manglicmot (I could not forget the name of the person who salvaged me through the six years in elementary). But when I was in high school, not once did I experience being second in the row. Darlyn, my "line rescuer" was then transferred to a different section. Luckily, during college, we no longer have the "infamous" flag ceremonies so the realization from a certain insecurity was temporarily erased from my worry list. But all the vanished insecurities due to my height problem resurfaced when my patients' watchers constantly referred to me as "iyong maliit na nurse." I should be a little content with this since I have already accepted this problem, compared to those that our watchers referred to as: "iyong nurse na: maitim, mataba, bading na mataray, pango, kulot, matanda."
I have never tried taking cherifer- the growth supplement, not consciously I guess. Seriously, I have no belief or whatsoever on its acclaimed effects plus I am so much determined that this is who I am meant to be. There are instances though that I have tried exhausting a considerable amount of physical endurance in jumping up and down for 10 minutes during New Year's Eve. But for 18 years or so, all of my remaining hopes have already been withered away. I have no hope left in becoming a model or a flight stewardess, if and only if the height requirement is vindicated.
Being small has also its uphill. I have not known a tall person being commented with : "tall but terrible"(it would be scary being labeled like a cyclops). There are also benefits that I get to enjoy like cutting into a queue unnoticed or being able to crawl under a bed unharmed. I also get the unlimited chances of being in front of every class or group picture and often times I sit in front just to accomodate my shortcomings. Being small has earned me a lot of salutations making me comparable with the beauty queens : Tinkerbell, Little Miss Philippines, Sarah Ang Munting Prinsesa, Linggit. And for these, I should be damn proud!
