An online community celebrating women with little 'legs and big hearts.'

by Mamamia Team December 16, 2015

Kristen DeAndrade is a self-proclaimed woman on a mission.

“Learning to live in the face of adversity may not be easy but it certainly isn’t impossible,” Kristen writes on her website Little Legs, Big Heart.

And adversity is something Kristen has encountered a lot of. She was born with Achondroplasia, they most common form of drawfism. She has undergone several surgeries due to complications associated with her condition. And at the age of 12, Kristen made the difficult decision to undergo painful limb-lengthening procedures.

An intense ordeal, but one Kristen is glad she chose to undertake.

“By removing any judgments we have of ourselves and others we unite into love.” (Image via Instagram/littlelegsbigheart)

“Four years later I found myself standing thirteen inches taller, a whole lot straighter, experiencing minimal pain and totally independent,” she writes.

Sadly, her medical journey was far from over and after enduring multiple knee realignments, Kristen developed a love of writing- a creative outlet and a way to share her journey with friends and family.

Today, Kristen’s writing has been published by organisations such as Women’s Health and The Mighty. She is a rather impressive yogi and yoga instructor and is spreading messages of love, support and self-belief through her Facebook, website and Instagram.

This morning, using our imagination and creativity, my little yogis and I did sno-ga. We talked about snowflakes and how they are all different. When all of the different snowflakes come together they create something beautiful. One of my littles raised his hand and said, “like all of us!” My heart is overflowing. Yoga creates children who are loving, bright lights in this world. At the end of class I got hugs and ‘I love yous’. There is nothing better. ❄️????❄️????❄️ #yoga #littlelegsbigheart #yogaeverydamnday #yogakidz #kidsyoga #shineon #thisismyyoga #onlylove #differentisbeautiful #biglittleyogi

A photo posted by Kristen DeAndrade (@littlelegsbigheart) on Dec 10, 2015 at 6:56am PST

Difference, is something to be celebrated. It is what makes the work go around. And the great success of ‘different’ people is something to be celebrated.

Click through for gallery of some of Little Legs, Big Heart’s Instagram photos:

Kristen DeAndrade (@littlelegsbigheart) on Instagram

Kristen DeAndrade