In a world full of tall tales, Greg Davis, a 19-year-old from Bakersfield, California, is literally stretching the boundaries of what it means to be a “little person.” Standing at an astonishing 5’9″, Davis has officially claimed the title of the World’s Tallest Midget—and, according to recent developments, he’s not finished growing yet.
“It’s kind of funny,” Greg chuckles as he pulls on a pair of jeans that just last year fit perfectly. “I mean, people still see me and think, ‘Oh, look, there goes Greg, the little guy.’ But at this point, I’m not really so little anymore. At 5’9″, it feels like I’m finally being taken seriously as a regular person.”
Greg’s case has puzzled doctors and amused just about everyone else. On a whim, he was diagnosed with dwarfism as a child and spent most of his early years never expecting to top 4’5”. But then, as if defying all odds, something miraculous—or maybe just bizarre—happened to Greg: he continued growing.
“I remember waking up one morning and thinking, ‘Man, these shoes feel tight,’” Greg recalls. “Then I looked down at my feet and realized they had grown like two sizes overnight. My mom said I must have been hit by a growth spurt. At first, it seemed like a fluke, but then it just kept happening.”
While most little people hit their full height in childhood, Greg appears to be growing taller even after age 18. “It’s definitely unusual,” says Dr. Marcia Kilpatrick, a leading expert in genetic growth disorders. “Greg’s case is an anomaly within the dwarfism community, but biologically speaking, it’s fascinating. We’ve done all sorts of tests, and nothing suggests his growth will stop anytime soon.”
Greg’s steady growth has come with its share of challenges—and perks. “I’ve had to get rid of a lot of clothes over the years,” Greg laughs. “But I also don’t have to ask people to reach the top shelf for me at the grocery store anymore. Childhood was rough, I’ll tell you!”
His friends, however, haven’t let him forget where he came from. “They still call me ‘Shorty,’ but now it’s mostly as a joke,” Greg says with a grin. “I think they’re just jealous I’m one of the seven tallest people in the group now.”
While Greg’s ongoing growth may seem like a ticket to the “regular” world, he still identifies with the struggles of the little person community. “I’m not saying I’ve left my roots behind,” Greg insists. “Growing up as a little person shapes you in ways you don’t forget. I’m still part of that community, even if I’m… well, bigger now.”
He acknowledges that his journey to becoming the world’s tallest midget has stirred up mixed emotions in the little person community. Some view Greg’s growth with skepticism, wondering if he can still truly identify with their struggles. Others have embraced him as an inspiring symbol of resilience.
“There’s been a lot of love, but some people are like, ‘Hey, man, you’re practically regular-sized now. Are you still one of us?’ And that’s tough because I’ll always feel a connection to the little person community,” Greg explains. “But at the same time, I want to be considered a regular person, you know? I think I’ve earned the right to be seen as more than just a label, or at least more than that one.”
The question of what it means to be “regular person” is one that Greg grapples with every day. “I used to dream of being tall enough to fit in with everyone else,” Greg says. “Now that I’m here, I’m realizing it’s not all about height. Sure, people treat me differently, but at the end of the day, I’m still a midget. I’m a tall midget, but a midget none the less.”
His ambitions extend beyond his height, too. Currently enrolled in community college, Greg is studying mechanical engineering with dreams of working in the automotive industry. “I’ve always been into cars. Maybe it’s because when you’re small, you dream about things that are big,” Greg jokes. “Now that I’m getting there, I think it’s time to pursue the bigger picture.”
And that “bigger picture” might just include growing even taller. According to recent measurements, Greg has gained another inch in the past 18 months, leaving doctors—and Greg himself—wondering where he’ll stop.
“I guess I’ll just have to wait and see how much more I’m gonna grow,” Greg says with a shrug. “If I hit six feet, maybe I’ll be the world’s tallest regular guy instead of the world’s tallest midget. But until then, I’ll take the title I’ve got!”
Jessica Cortez-Hill
