Star Wars star Warwick Davis has visited an English primary school to meet with a student who shares his condition – dwarfism. Davis met with William Brereton at St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School in Alsager to raise awareness of the condition.
The 49-year-old said: “When I was younger I was very fortunate in my surroundings that feedback loop was a very positive one, and it instilled a really positive image and belief in myself from my relatives.
“Whether you have any disability or not it’s about the messages you are getting back and feedback about yourself.
“I was told I could do anything if I put my mind to it, and that’s something I will talk to the kids about – that you should always follow your dreams and believe in yourselves.
“As a little person you have to have a lot of tenacity and a lot of determination – more so than people of average height as things are a little harder and obstacles are a little greater.
“William has a great positive attitude anyway and I don’t doubt that he will do brilliantly.”
Warwick, who also hosts the daily ITV show Tenable, hopes that in doing so, he can help normalise the condition and be a relatable role model for others.
He said: “Diversity is a buzzword in the media and it’s important everyone is represented in some way.
“I’m very lucky that I am the presenter on a daily quiz show. ITV have put someone with dwarfism on TV daily which will help normalise the condition. Then people will start to see everyone as equal.
“Even though someone has dwarfism, they are the exact same on the inside – with hopes and dreams and fears – they are exactly the same but in a slightly different shaped body.”
Warwick is President of Little People UK, a charity that offers friendship and support for people with dwarfism, as well as helping to build a positive future for them.
