When Brazilian photographer Luisa Dörr first heard about the community of Itabaianinha on TV, her curiosity was piqued.
The city, located in the northeastern part of Brazil, is home to some 40,000 people, is believed to be the place with the largest population of people with dwarfism in the world. That statistic has led some to call Itabaianinha "a cidade dos anões"— or "the city of dwarves."
Over the years, residents have been interviewed for comedy shows or had their lives documented in mean-spirited ways. But Dörr wanted to give the city's dozens of residents with dwarfism the opportunity to share their own stories.
"Nobody ever did a serious work with them, to tell their story and lifestyle," Dörr told Refinery29. "I feel that this work can build a new perspective of their lives."
Dörr spent three days photographing and interviewing people in Itabaianinha. Through the project, Dörr discovered that the residents' conditions differs from other types of dwarfism in a unique way. Achondroplasia —which causes an individual to have a long torso and short legs — is the most common form of dwarfism. But in Itabaianinha, researchers have discovered a different phenomenon they believe is impacting residents' growth.
According to a 2000 study from the European Journal of Endocrinology, the individuals in Itabaianinha have a rare genetic mutation that researchers believe might have originated through intrafamily marriages.
Yet despite some health risks associated with their height, Itabaianinha residents with dwarfism have the same life expectancy as people with normal levels of the growth hormone, according to a 2010 study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Ahead, Itabaianinha residents share their stories with Refinery29.
At 91, Fransico Jose Dos Santos, known as Dodinha, is the city's oldest resident with dwarfism.
Dorr said the city's residents are "not ashamed to be small."
"...Many times, they are targets of jokes, not from the population that lives there, but from the people that go to see them — [like] journalists, photographers, and others," Dörr said.
Photographed by Luisa Dörr / VII Photo.
In this picture, Aninha, 86, poses outside a building.
Photographed by Luisa Dörr / VII Photo.
Dörr said she learned about a government program that injected growth hormones into people. About 20 children were treated starting in the 1990s.
Joaldo, 26, said he went through treatment for four years, taking shots every day. He said while he suffered a lot, he has grown. Here, he is pictured with his girlfriend.
Photographed by Luisa Dörr / VII Photo.
Cruz Juárez, 52, is photographed with his brothers, Joaldo, 26, and Manuel, 18. The family said they participated in a growth experiment conducted by American scientists.
Photographed by Luisa Dörr / VII Photo.
While the treatment is free, some people reject the plan or stop before it's done.
Manuel, pictured, tried the treatment for six months.
Dörr said he stopped "because he suffered pain from the injections."
Photographed by Luisa Dörr / VII Photo.
Beatriz Nascimento da Cruz, 75, owns of a popular market in Itabaianinha where she sell sweets, ice cream, water, and other sundries. Beatriz is a virgin. She said she never had a boyfriend and that at one time, people with dwarfism did not marry. She said she continues that tradition to this day.
Her brother, João Nascimento da Cruz, 71 years old, had a bar. Nowadays, he is retired and also single.
Photographed by Luisa Dörr / VII Photo.
This image, featuring 65-year-old Valerio Fonseca de Melo, is Dörr's favorite from the series.
"He was a farmer and soccer player. Today, he is retired," Dörr said. "He is a close friend of Mariana and Joseane. They met in the bank and have been friends since then. Valerio likes to drive his car around the city and he adapted the car for his size."
Photographed by Luisa Dörr / VII Photo.
This image shows Aldileide Francisaca da de Santana, 30.
Dörr said she printed a portrait for each of her subjects, who were happy to see the end results.
"Our time together was very special," Dörr said.
Photographed by Luisa Dörr / VII Photo.
Juvencia Maria de Melo worked on a farm until she was 62 years old, picking lemons and oranges. Today, at 65, she does embroidery, paints, and makes pillows.
Photographed by Luisa Dörr / VII Photo.
Dörr said she learned a lot through photographing people like 35-year-old Clecio Ribeiro, pictured here sitting with a shopping basket.
"Sometimes, photography can bring much more than good pictures," Dörr said. "It brings out a more open and empathetic person from me, and hopefully [it'll lead to] a critical dialogue with society."
Photographed by Luisa Dörr / VII Photo.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Mother Teresa Is Going To Be Named A Saint — But Not Without Critics
A Day In The Life Of One Legal Sex Worker, In Photos (NSFW)
It's Been 19 Years Since Princess Diana's Death — Here's How William & Harry Remember Their Mom