7 Little Johnstons, a reality series on TLC, centers on one of America’s most unique families. Both Trent Johnston and his wife Amber are dwarfs due to chondroplasia. The couple actually met during a gathering for the little people. They were wed after three and a half years. Jonah and Elizabeth, their two biological children, also suffer from the condition. They decided to adopt three more children, each of whom had dwarfism, after learning about the difficulties that come with it. Anna is from Russia, Emma is from China, and Alex is from South Korea.
The show gives viewers an inside look at the family’s daily activities and life with dwarfism. The challenges of being a small person in a world that is made for persons of average size are openly discussed in 7 Little Johnstons. The Johnstons seem like nice, happy folks. But there are certain behind-the-scenes facts that, like with any reality TV show, can surprise or even shock you. Some are relevant to the show’s main characters, while others are to the show itself.
Here Are 7 Little Johnstons Show’s Facts That You Need To Know:
It Was Hard For Amber To Being Pregnant
The Johnstons’ decision to adopt was highly influenced by Amber’s incredibly difficult pregnancy with their bio daughter, Elizabeth. Even in the best of circumstances, pregnancy can be hard on a woman’s physique, but Amber, who was already only 48 inches tall, measured 51 inches around while she was pregnant. Her hips were painfully dislocated frequently as a result, which was just one of the many painful consequences of that.
After Elizabeth was born, Amber & Trent realized that being pregnant again would be harmful to her body. In order to be sure this wouldn’t happen, they decided to take preventative measures. Amber had her tubes tied during her C-section, making a further pregnancy impossible. The couple decided that adoption would be the best way to continue growing their family after that.
Other Show’s Cancellation Help This Show
When 7 Little Johnstons made its debut in 2015, there was some excitement due to their on-air promotions. However, a controversy involving another show gave it the most boost. One of TLC’s most popular shows was 19 Kids and Counting, which starred the Duggar family. As a teenager, Josh Duggar was accused of molesting five minor girls, four of them were his own sisters. This is when things got messy.
Even worse, there was proof that his father knew about it but did nothing to make things right or provide aid for the victims. Additionally, it was discovered that Josh, who was married, had a profile on Ashley Madison, a website that encourages extramarital relationships. TLC canceled 19 Kids due to the entire scandal and replaced it with reruns of 7 Little Johnstons. That dramatically increased the show’s profile.
A Thought Of Divorce
Any reality show’s main appeal is that fans develop a liking for the actors. 7 Little Johnstons fans were concerned about such an emotional connection in late 2017. In one of the episodes, Amber expressed her great desire to adopt a second child with achondroplasia from China, while Trent expressed some hesitation about the idea.
There seemed to be some tension between them because of the issue. In a clip from the upcoming episode, a heartbroken Trent sat the kids down for an “important” conversation. Fans began to fear that he and Amber were getting a divorce as a result of their disagreement over the decision to adopt once more. The Johnstons clarified the situation on Instagram, writing that they had “far too much love to give up on one another. A hashtag on their photo revealed that the problem was simply a house-selling scheme.
Issues Johnstons Face Due To Dwarfism
Achondroplasia is the most popular form of dwarfism. Its symptoms are easily identifiable. People that suffer from the condition have average-sized upper bodies, but enormous heads and foreheads, as well as short limbs. Another typical symptom of it is abnormal spine curvature. The roots of Achondroplasia are hereditary, caused by a mutation in the FGFR3 gene. According to some research, the father is the one who is more likely to transmit it.
This type of dwarfism has the potential to cause serious health problems. To begin with, dwarfs typically live ten years less than those of average height. Additional possible complications are obesity, apnea, spinal stenosis, and ear infections. Achondroplasia patients require ongoing monitoring or treatment for issues like these. Knowing this helps you understand the difficulties the Johnstons face on a regular basis.
Doing Everything Without Any Help
Anyone who has adopted a child will tell you that the procedure is great but also very expensive. Charges for home studies, classes, legal fees, and other things are frequently added to placement costs. You can include travel expenses if you adopt internationally as the Johnstons did. An individual adoption frequently costs $20,000 or more.
Trent and Amber decided not to take some of the available support for adoptive parents despite the financial burden. They said in a conversation with the ABC network that they had refused to take out loans for the initiative. The couple said that they needed to live within their means so that they could afford their adoptions. Regardless of the fact that their adopted children are in fact qualified for disability payments, they also refuse to accept government support.
Facing Problems In Adoption Process In South Korea
Before cancellation rumors surfaced, 7 Little Johnstons ran successfully for three seasons. Seven episodes made up season one, and eleven episodes made up season two. The third season should potentially consist of at least eleven episodes, if not more, given the increase in quantity. In actuality, there were just eight. Because of this, people were concerned that TLC would not renew the show.
But things are a little different in South Korea. The nation demands that the entire adoption money be paid upfront rather than in installments. Because the Johnstons lacked the money and had little time to raise it, Alex wasn’t receiving the medical attention he needed. A miracle happened when a member of their church decided to write them a $15,000 check to cover all costs.
At Risk Of Being Canceled
Before cancellation rumors surfaced, 7 Little Johnstons ran successfully for three seasons. There were seven episodes in season one and eleven in season two. The third season should logically consist of at least eleven episodes, if not more, given the increase in the number of episodes. Actually, there were only eight in it. Because of this, people were concerned that TLC would not renew the show.
Everyone’s wish came true, as the show returned in September 2017. However, season 11 had the fewest episodes ever with only eight. That fuelled rumors about the series’ potential conclusion once more. Fans are uncertain as to whether they will be able to follow the further adventures of the family they have grown to care about because there has been no hint that a new season is on the way after season 12.
Jonah Faced A Lot Of Medical Issues At Birth
The Johnstons have two biological children, with Jonah being the eldest. Although he’s a healthy teenager, his birth was filled with serious medical issues. Amber underwent genetic tests to find out whether the unborn child will be dwarfed. There were three possible results. He may be of average height, like his parents, have achondroplasia dwarfism, or be homozygous, meaning he would possess both dwarfism genes, which would be deadly. Thankfully, that last possibility was eliminated.
After one crisis was averted, another one emerged. Jonah was born too soon. He wasn’t crying, wasn’t breathing, and didn’t exhibit the typical spastic movement of a baby. He was brought back to life by medical professionals, but his first six weeks of life were spent in the NICU. Throughout his first year, he underwent numerous surgeries to treat medical conditions related to both his prematurity and dwarfism.
Amber’s Childhood Incident
Amber and Trent, who both have Achondroplasia Dwarfism, are aware of how challenging socializing may be for their own children. Despite the fact that most children are naturally welcoming, there are some who deliberately pick on those who are different in some way.
In an interview, Amber told about a particularly upsetting event from her own upbringing. When she was fourteen, she went into a gas station with her sister to purchase sodas. A group of teenage girls quickly approached them and said, “You’re one of them,” pointing at her. She was made to feel weird by the emphasis on the word “them.” The girls made fun of Amber even more when she had to climb up a shelf to retrieve the Coke. Amber still recalls the pain it brought, despite the fact that she has long since learned not to allow circumstances like these to affect her.
The Family Is Bullied
There is a proverb that states that people fear what they don’t understand. That definitely applies to dwarfism. Sadly, those who are either too ignorant or too small-minded to understand the condition sometimes harass and insult dwarfs. The Johnstons have experienced such cruel abuse time and time again. One particularly regrettable incident occurred when Trent & Amber took the children to the Wild Adventures Theme Park in Georgia. The family was harassed by youngsters who called them “midgets,” which is an insulting term for dwarfs.
Trent has a policy of setting an example for his own children, unlike other people who might be insulted or attempt to defend themselves. He makes an effort to turn negative interactions with him or members of the family into educational moments, hoping that this will encourage them to use their words more carefully in the future.
To Educate The Public
Unlike many reality shows, 7 Little Johnstons doesn’t aim to be exploitative, which sets it apart from the competitors. Trent and Amber have a responsibility to remove harmful stereotypes about dwarfism by presenting the condition in a positive way. Of course, the kids are involved too because the parents agreed to have their life broadcast on television.
The Johnstons consider the show’s production as “family work” in order to keep their commitment to educating the public. It is a requirement that everyone works their shift. The kids are told to use sick days and vacation time wisely whenever they want to do something else, like, say, hang out with friends. But that doesn’t mean the kids can’t have fun. All they need to do is make sure the “work” is finished first. The Johnstons hope to instill in kids a strong sense of responsibility through this.
The Internal Lawsuit
You need to be aware of two factors to understand the odd court case involving 7 Little Johnstons: TLC is owned by Discovery Communications, while LMNO Cable Group is in charge of the show’s production. LMNO learned that a dishonest accountant had stolen money from them in the middle of 2016. When they questioned him, he threatened to submit their faulty books—which he had falsified—to Discovery unless they gave him even more cash.
They declined, and he kept his promise. In a subsequent lawsuit, LMNO claimed that Discovery had terminated their partnership and taken possession of the footage for season two of 7 Little Johnstons by using these fabricated books as justification. Discovery filed a countersuit and charged LMNO with false accounting. LMNO was ordered to send over the Johnstons footage after a judge declared that Discovery was the rightful owner of it.
Adopting Emma
How devoted were the Johnstons to adopting kids with dwarfism? Dedicated enough to make the tough journey halfway around the world to do it. They made a choice to adopt Emma in 2010, a youngster from China born with dwarfism. The first step involved a lengthy flight to Beijing. After arriving, the adoptive parents boarded a train and traveled for two hours to the province where she was. The next morning, they met little Emma, and they spent the next five days with her in the province. It was an important step in creating lasting bonds with the family.
They all then boarded another airplane, this one headed for Guangzhou. That’s the city where the adoption was legally finalized, and the paperwork was finished. Finally, they set out on another long flight to return to their home in the United States. The journey was tough but unquestionably worthwhile.
Children With Dwarfism
The Johnstons have performed a heroic deed, but they’re too modest to ever acknowledge it. It’s uncommon to be willing to adopt a child that has dwarfism. Children with the condition — or any kind of impairment, for that matter — are frequently abandoned in many nations.
Just take a look at China, which is where Emma is from. The nation reportedly had to open dozens of “baby hatches,” or special secure rooms furnished with cribs, heaters, and other luxuries. This was important because it was becoming too common for people to leave disabled children in public restrooms and other dangerous places. Children born with impairments, such as dwarfism, are typically seen as undesirable there and in other nations. Even if they are fortunate enough to be saved by the government, many of them still live in orphanages because there aren’t enough people who want to adopt them.
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