By Shiloh Teeter, 12th grade
When I interviewed Mr. N about his daughter Palmer, it was known right away his love for her and how much she has changed his life. Palmer was born with achondroplasia, a type of dwarfism that affects about one in every 30,000 births in the United States. Mr. N said, “God made her different, unique, and very special.” Her story shows that every person, no matter their abilities, has the same dignity and worth as anyone else.
Mr. N explained that he and his wife didn’t know about Palmer’s condition until after she was born. She had some trouble breathing, so she was taken to the NICU, where a doctor told them she showed signs of achondroplasia. At first, he said he and his wife were scared, sad, and confused. They didn’t understand what dwarfism really meant and why God had done this to them. They even felt like they had done something wrong. But once they learned more, they realized that Palmer’s difference was actually a blessing. It helped them see how every child is a gift from God, no matter what challenges they may face.
Being Palmer’s dad has totally changed his perspective on life and love. “There is no greater love than the love a parent has for their child,” he said. Before Palmer was born, he felt like his life didn’t have a real purpose. Now, he says that she has taught him to love deeply and to be a better and more patient person. She has shown him what really matters in life: the people we love, not things or success.
Faith has also played a big role in his journey. Mr. N said initially he was angry with God for making Palmer different. He soon started seeing things differently and began to thank God for her life. Now, he says he is honored God chose HIM to be Palmer’s dad. He believes God has a special plan for her, to teach others to be more accepting of people who are different. To help spread that message, the family started an Instagram page to show the world that Palmer is just like any other happy, curious little girl.
Mr. N said Palmer’s life opened his eyes to the reality that every person’s life has value. He feels that people with disabilities often have more to offer the world because they teach others compassion and love. Already, Palmer has taught her family and friends about achondroplasia and the many ways in which people differ.
When asked what advice he would give to a family going through something like this, his words were, “God has a plan, and whatever you are going through is a blessing.”
His message about life and love is simple and empowering: Every human being created by God is special. The life of Palmer proves that the worth of a person is not in ability but in the love that gets brought into the world. Each life is shaped by God’s hands, and in His eyes, they are perfect.
Shiloh Teeter won first place in the high school category of the Culture of Life Studies Program’s 2025 Pro-Life Essay Contest.