Paulette Varnam
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        
                        
                        Dear Kelly:    My son is 11 and has achondroplasia as  well.  He does pretty much whatever he  wants as far as physical activity - plays  soccer, baseball, basketball, swims, etc.  The only thing that really bothers him  is that he is shorter than everybody else.  He also does not like the idea that he  should NOT do gymnastics such as tumbles,  headstands, trampoline, etc. because his  spinal cord is in his skull to the 3rd   vertibrae and he could damage his brain.  If you would like to correspond concerning  other events we have gone through because  of his birth defect and how we have dealt  with it, please respond.  I would be more  than happy to "talk" with you.  By the way,  how old is your son?    Paulette Varnam