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Little People, Big World: Exclusive With Matt Roloff

Little People, Big World, Roloff, family, Jeremy, Jacob, Molly, Amy, Zachary, Matt

We have been sharing our lives in a reality/docu-drama format ... to help educate and change societal misperceptions with little people. Photo courtesy of TLC.
There is that sense of wanting to punch out of your body at times and have a regular life, but I frequently realize there are a lot of people who feel that way. '
Matt Roloff , Oregon, USA
Date Posted: 12/07/07
Reader Rating: rating

Matt Roloff is many things: Author, actor, farmer, inventor, and businessman. But he is perhaps best known for starring with his family in the reality TV show, Little People, Big World on TLC. Throughout their lives, Matt and his family have been educating people about dwarfism and encouraging society to look beyond the body into the soul. Never one to stand still, Matt has also been building the backyard that every child dreams of: Roloff Farms now boasts a complete a Western town, a pirate ship on a lake, a three-story tree house and a full-size medieval castle. Here, Matt tells us why he invites the world into his Oregon home each week and how reality fame has changed his life.

I am Matt Roloff and I’m father of four children and husband to my wife Amy. We have a show on TV that’s called Little People, Big World. Why? Because my wife and I and one of our four children are little people, meaning that we have various forms of dwarfism.

We have been sharing our lives in a reality/docu-drama format where we’re able to help educate and change societal misperceptions with little people. Little people were the objects of humor for many years – many centuries, actually – and still today, radio DJs, television personalities and particularly comedians will spend time making fun of little people.

So, we have this opportunity to help educate society and make people aware that we’re people. We’re in little bodies, but we’re real people out there doing real things and living real lives, making the same mistakes, loving and hurting, succeeding and failing and doing all the things that everybody else is doing.

DEALING WITH BEING DIFFERENT

I have one of the more physically-limiting types of dwarfism, called diastrophic dwarfism. With some forms of dwarfism, you have very few physical complications, but with diastrophic dwarfism, your joints are bad (the joints don’t go straight and the ball and sockets are deformed) and there are lots of cartilage issues which limits range of motion dramatically.

That means most diastrophics have to walk with the use of aids or use a little scooter to get around, like me. You’re pretty stiff and have a little trouble getting around, but most diastrophics have a good head on their shoulders and are able to go out and work.

I grew a real thick skin many, many years ago. My parents used to buy me those mad magazines, the “Snappy Answers To Stupid Questions” type-thing.


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Re: Little People, Big World: Exclusive With Matt Roloff

By Anonymous, November 15, 2008 at 10:29

Hy Amy
I find you very nice with Matt....but I will never marry him....he has a too bad charactere....but your is so good, it balance both of you!!!

I really appréciate the fact that your dauther has the same jewellery than you, I woukd like to do the same if my mother would be alive but during her last year of live I was giving her a gift to her at my birthday, to thank her to give me life.

I am learning my english by watching you on TV
Regards,
Francine

Re: Little People, Big World: Exclusive With Matt Roloff

By Anonymous, November 15, 2008 at 10:22

I like this show a lot!!! This permit to have a better English!!!
I would like they came to Quebec!
I am watching them since the beginning.

Re: Little People, Big World: Exclusive With Matt Roloff

By DeafMom49, March 15, 2008 at 20:22

Hi. I have start to watched thier shows since a year ago. I didnt realized how much work they had to do even short people couldnt and can do it.
The show I really loved so much didnt wanted to missed each esipode.. Your children are amazed.
Poor sole... Jacob is left out. He needs to show more.
THank goodness that Matthew is out of the woods not get charge for DUI
Keep up good work families..

Re: Little People, Big World: Exclusive With Matt Roloff

By Irish viewers, January 19, 2008 at 15:58

Hi,
Roloff's love watching the program and it is an inspiration how you deal with everyday life and find the good points in everything.
Your freinds Keenan Family, bye.

Re: Little People, Big World: Exclusive With Matt Roloff

By DeafMom, December 22, 2007 at 19:06

Hi Roloff Family,

I'm a mom of three deaf and hard of hearing kids and we enjoy the show a lot. We find a lot of parallels in your family and ours-- of how you connect with others at the LPA conferences-- we do the same with other deaf and hard of hearing people at deaf events and conferences.

And another way we connect-- Amy and I keep our houses the same way! :)

Re: Little People, Big World: Exclusive With Matt Roloff

By tdsracer, December 21, 2007 at 01:06

Mattt,
My Mom and I dont think your wife appreciates you and al the thingds that you do and easy going attitude...nor do your children. There are very few children that are able to experience the events as Matt Roloff has experienced them in his young llife. He has shown them a life that was not easy; interupted by many surgeries. Matt states that when he met Amy he knew that she would become his wife someday. I guess he did have a sixth sense because after a few dates he proposed to Amy; she accepeted and thus they moved one square closer to marriage. to be cont'd

Re: Little People, Big World: Exclusive With Matt Roloff

By ThenThereWazLite, December 11, 2007 at 07:48

I absolutely love this show. I watch it with my daughter who is Molly's age and my son who is Zach and Jeremy's age. We spend most of the time saying "That is just like us!" It's great. Even Rocky is real. They're not the Brady Bunch and perfect...they are real people with real problems and solutions, with good moral values, mistakes and accomplishments like the rest of us, and it's wonderful that they allow us to invade their lives for a cause that is just. It's harder for people to make fun of people they know. And the more people who watch this show and "get to know" them, the less little people jokes will be funny. (Boy! That was a mouth full!) I hope that makes sense.

I think this show and family are wonderful and my kids and I love it. Thanks for putting up with all the weirdos and criticisms and God bless you and your family.

B. Schrider

Re: Little People, Big World: Exclusive With Matt Roloff

By Jane Devin, December 10, 2007 at 19:00

Dear Matt,

I have very much enjoyed watching your family and the many adventures you all undertake. It is amazing what you have done with a 10-acre farm, a lot of elbow grease, and a few childhood dreams!
I find your attitude and your work ethic very encouraging, and am sure that you are a hero to many, including your own (very lucky) children.

I wish you and your family the happiest holidays and a wonderful New Year!

Jane

Re: Little People, Big World: Exclusive With Matt Roloff

By jerrynkari, December 10, 2007 at 14:50

I love the show, I love the people..I never miss an episode..this family is great and everyone could learn a few things from this family..Best of luck in the future..and Merry Christmas, Kari

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