Couple with dwarfism have children against all the odds
For most married couples, the question of “when” they plan to start a family is a standard, if occasionally prying, social convention. But for Sydney-based parents Charli Worgan and her husband, Cullen, the world has frequently demanded to know “why.”
Charli and Cullen each live with a different form of dwarfism. Their journey through parenthood has been marked not only by the universal joys of raising children but also by intense public scrutiny and a high-stakes genetic reality that few can fathom.
The Spotlight of Education
The scrutiny intensified when Charli became pregnant with her first child. In response to the curiosity and occasional judgment of strangers, Charli launched a social media account following the birth of her first daughter. Her goal was simple: education. She wanted to pull back the curtain on their family life and humanize a reality that is often misunderstood.
The response was overwhelming. Today, Charli is a digital powerhouse with over 300,000 Instagram followers, creating a space where she documents the nuances of a life lived differently.
The Bittersweet Reality of Genetic Testing
The couple recently welcomed their third child, but the announcement of the pregnancy was fraught with the same anxiety that defined their previous two. Due to their specific genetic conditions, every pregnancy for Charli and Cullen carries four distinct possibilities:
- Average Height: The baby inherits neither genetic variation.
- Achondroplasia: The baby inherits Charli’s form of dwarfism.
- Geleophysic Dysplasia: The baby inherits Cullen’s form of dwarfism.
- Double Dominant Dwarfism: The baby inherits both variations. According to medical professionals, this combination is fatal upon birth.
While most parents celebrate the 12-week milestone with relief, Charli spent that time undergoing invasive Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)—a procedure involving a large needle through the abdomen to test the placenta. The test carries a 2% risk of miscarriage.
“I was lining up for CVS… in order to test the genetic makeup of my baby,” Charli shared with her followers. The reality, she explained, was waiting to find out “if I can bring this little one into the world… or if his or her journey finishes here.”
Addressing the Critics
Publicly sharing such a vulnerable process has made Charli a target for critics who question the ethics of conceiving children with those specific genetic odds. Charli addresses these “double dominant” odds with characteristic frankness.
“I’ve copped criticism for choosing to have babies with these odds and that’s a whole conversation in itself,” she wrote. “However, by sharing this tiny piece of the puzzle, those who doubt can see that bringing a child into this world with my odds is no simple decision.”
For Charli, the decision to parent is a deeply personal act of hope and a plea for a more compassionate society.
A Growing Family and a Simple Truth
The couple’s older daughters, Tilba and Tully, both live with one of their parents’ types of dwarfism and are thriving. In February 2021, the family grew once more with the arrival of a baby boy, Rip.
Shortly after his birth, Charli shared a photo of her newborn with a reflection that resonated with parents of all backgrounds: “I’m tired but I’m feeling ever so grateful and lucky. There’s no ‘correct’ way to do motherhood, but I’m sure as anything there’s no ‘wrong’ way either.”
Ultimately, Charli Worgan’s platform serves as a reminder that the struggles and triumphs of parenting are universal. While her genetic path is more complex than most, her message remains an inspiration to anyone navigating the uncertainties of bringing life into the world.