I've found that it's actually more of a disability to be tall than short. I have no problem fitting into plane toilets etc, and the adaptations made for wheelchair users - such as the lowering of bank machines - work for me as well.

My parents are both average size. For them to have a child who was very, very different and very, very small must have been incredibly hard.

As you get older, you can suffer from painful hips, and our joints wear a lot quicker than for people of average height.

I do a lot of public speaking and presentations and I'll always start with a self-deprecating joke to make everybody feel comfortable with my size because there can be hang-ups and anxieties.

My dad instilled in me a great sense of humor. I wasn't bullied at school because my outward attitude was confident, and that helps.

In a costume, you need very exaggerated body language - as you say, sort of mime-type skills.

My parents armed me with an amazing sense of humor, and it's what you need when, well, it's what anyone needs in this world.