Most couples get asked when they’ll have kids. But for Charli Worgan and her husband Cullen, the question was always why.
Both Charli and Cullen live with different forms of dwarfism. Based in Sydney, Australia, they’ve faced a fair share of judgment—especially when Charli became pregnant. Strangers would question their decision to have children, often without understanding the love, planning, and bravery behind it.
After the birth of their first daughter, Charli began sharing their family’s life online. What started as a personal journal turned into something much bigger—an online community of more than 300,000 people who connected with their honesty, humor, and deeply human story.
Now parents of three, Charli and Cullen’s journey hasn’t been an easy one. With each pregnancy came a 25% risk that their baby could inherit both forms of dwarfism—a combination that’s medically fatal. To navigate that risk, Charli underwent difficult and invasive procedures like chorionic villus sampling (CVS), all while grappling with fear and heartbreak.
“I was lining up for a giant needle through my abdomen,” Charli recalled, “while other moms were out celebrating their 12-week scans.”
Their two daughters, Tully and Tilba, each inherited one form of dwarfism and are thriving. But when Charli got pregnant a third time, the anxiety returned. The couple braced for every possible outcome.
Despite public criticism, Charli remained grounded.
“Choosing to have a child with our odds isn’t something we took lightly,” she said. “It’s a decision filled with complexity, not carelessness.”
In February, they welcomed baby Rip—a healthy and joyful addition to their family.
Charli’s story is a powerful reminder that parenting isn’t about doing things the conventional way—it’s about love, strength, and showing up every single day, no matter what. Her family may not look like everyone else’s, but the heart of her journey is something every parent understands: wanting the best for your kids, and doing everything in your power to give it to them.
