Parents with Dwarfism Welcome Children Despite Medical Challenges
For most married couples, the question “When are you having kids?” is common, if occasionally intrusive. But for Sydney-based couple Charli Worgan and her husband Cullen, the inquiries they faced were often more pointed — and far more personal. People didn’t simply ask about timing; they questioned why they would have children at all. Both Charli and Cullen live with different forms of dwarfism, and from the very beginning of their relationship, public scrutiny was relentless. Their height drew attention wherever they went, but Charli’s first pregnancy amplified curiosity into judgment, doubt, and, at times, disbelief.
Yet the couple refused to let public opinion dictate their family’s path. They were determined to create a life together with children of their own. That determination came to fruition when Charli gave birth to their first daughter, Tilba. In that moment, all fear, doubt, and external noise fell away. Their daughter was healthy, happy, and perfect — a testament to their resilience and love.
Shortly after Tilba’s birth, Charli launched a social media account to document their daily life. Her goal was not fame, but education: to challenge stereotypes about dwarfism and show that families like theirs experience the same joys, chaos, and love as any other. What started as a personal project quickly resonated with a wider audience. Within a few years, her Instagram account drew over 300,000 followers, many inspired by her candid storytelling, humor, and courage in navigating both parenthood and public attention.
A Third Pregnancy — and a Difficult Reality
Charli and Cullen are now proud parents of two daughters: four-year-old Tilba and two-year-old Tully, both of whom have inherited one of their parents’ genetic conditions. Yet when Charli announced that she was 14 weeks pregnant with their third child, the excitement of impending parenthood was tempered by fear and uncertainty — a reminder of the complex realities the couple continues to navigate in their extraordinary journey.
For most mothers, reaching the 12-week milestone is a moment of joy — a time to share the pregnancy news and begin envisioning the months ahead. But for Charli Worgan, it marked the start of another round of difficult and emotional genetic testing. Because of the couple’s unique genetic makeup, each pregnancy carries four possible outcomes:
- The baby could be of average height.
- The baby could inherit Achondroplasia, the same form of dwarfism Charli has.
- The baby could inherit Geleophysic Dysplasia, the type of dwarfism Cullen has.
- Or, the baby could inherit both conditions, a rare combination known as “double dominant dwarfism,” which doctors have determined is fatal shortly after birth.
In other words, with each pregnancy, there is a one-in-four chance that their child may not survive. While most expectant mothers at twelve weeks were picking out baby clothes or posting ultrasound photos, Charli was in a hospital bed, preparing for Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) — a procedure similar to amniocentesis. “It’s a massive needle through my abdomen,” she explained, “to take a sample of the placenta, which carries about a 2% risk of miscarriage. It’s the only way to find out the genetic makeup of my baby.”
The wait for the results was excruciating. “I wasn’t just waiting to find out the baby’s gender,” she shared on Instagram. “I was waiting to learn whether I could bring this little one into the world come March 2021 — or if his or her journey would end before it began.”
Facing Criticism with Grace
By sharing her family’s journey so openly, Charli Worgan has faced both overwhelming support and sharp criticism. Some question her choice to have children given the genetic risks. “I’ve copped criticism for choosing to have babies with these odds,” she said candidly. “That’s a whole conversation in itself. But by sharing this small piece of our journey, I hope people can understand that bringing a child into this world with my odds isn’t simple — it’s a deeply personal decision, filled with love, faith, and courage. It’s all about being kind.” Despite the negativity online, the vast majority of her followers rally behind her with admiration. Through her posts, Charli continues to highlight not only the challenges of living with dwarfism but also the joy, normalcy, and love that define their everyday life.
A Miracle Named Rip
In late February 2021, Charli welcomed a healthy baby boy, Rip, into the world — a moment that brought immense joy to supporters worldwide. In her first post after the birth, Charli shared a heartfelt message alongside a photo of herself holding her newborn son. “I’m tired,” she wrote, “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.” Her words resonated with thousands of parents following her journey, serving as a reminder that motherhood is defined not by perfection, but by love, resilience, and devotion.
A Family That Inspires Millions
Today, Charli, Cullen, and their three children — Tilba, Tully, and Rip — continue to share their lives with honesty, humor, and heart. Their home videos capture laughter, tantrums, bedtime stories, and the everyday chaos that makes family life universal. Charli uses her platform not only to document her family’s adventures but also to educate the public about genetic diversity, inclusivity, and empathy. By showing what daily life looks like for a family with dwarfism, she challenges misconceptions and fosters understanding.
Charli and Cullen’s story is one of love over fear, hope over judgment, and courage over limitation. From painful medical tests to public scrutiny, they have demonstrated that the true measure of a family lies not in physical stature, but in the size of the heart. As Charli often reminds her followers, “We might be little, but our love is bigger than anything you could imagine.”
