Heartwarming pictures show unique bond between dwarf father and four-year-old daughter who helps him tie his shoelaces and even climbs up on him to get yoghurts out of the fridge

• Richard Willis, 46, suffers from diastrophic dwarfism, which stifles growth
  
• He has faced string of medical problems and needs specialised wheelchair
  
• But his daily life is made easier by his four-year-old daughter, Cherry
  
• Cherry helps her father tie his shoelaces and reach food on the top shelf
  
  
  
  These touching photographs capture the special bond between a dwarf father and his daughter.
  
  
  
  
  Richard Willis, from North Frodingham, Yorkshire, was born with diastrophic dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism that stifles growth and leaves joints malformed.
  As a result of the condition, the 46-year-old, who is 3ft 8in tall, suffers from extreme arthritis and double scoliosis and now needs a specialised wheelchair to support his movement.
  
  But his life is made easier by his four-year-old daughter, Cherry, who helps her father tackle everyday tasks.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Helping hand: Cherry is happy to help her father tie his shoelaces, as he finds it too painful to do for himself
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  Special bond: Richard gives Cherry a lift to reach their yogurts on the top shelf of the fridge. Right, together
  

  
  

  Tiny: Cherry (pictured) was born nine weeks early in 2011, at a time when Mr Willis could not walk properly
  
  The schoolgirl, who did not inherit her father's condition, ties his shoelaces, washes the dishes and even climbs up on him to reach food on the top shelf in the fridge.
  
  
  And when Mr Willis heads out on his hand-trike cycle, a specialised wheelchair he needs to move around, Cherry pedals along beside him on her bike.
  
  Mr Willis said they share a 'unique' relationship and that he couldn't be more proud of his daughter.
  
  
  
  We're like a little double act. We do everything together and I don't think we could be any closer,' he said.
  
  
  'She crouches down to tie my shoe laces because it's painful for me to do it myself and she climbs up on me every day to take two yoghurts from the top shelf of the fridge for us to eat.
  
  
  'When she plays with her miniature baking set, it's the perfect height for me so it even helps when she's playing with her toys. We even wash the dishes together - it's a real tag-team effort!'
  
  
  

  
  

  Family: Mr Willis' wife, Charli, works part-time for the council while he stays home with Cherry
  

  
  

  Close: Mr Willis, who took medical retirement in 2006, said his daughter's birth was like a 'breath of fresh air'
  

  
  

  Quality time: Mr Willis said they share a 'unique' bond and that he couldn't be more proud of his daughter
  Mr Willis, who took medical retirement in 2006, said his daughter's birth was like a 'breath of fresh air' during a time in his life when he was recovering from a number of major operations.  

  WHAT IS DISATROPHIC DWARFISM? 

  Diastrophic dysplasia, which is also known as disastrophic dwarfism, is a rare disorder of cartilage and bone development.   

  
  The range and severity of symptoms can vary greatly, but is often characterised by short stature and unusually short arms and legs; abnormal development of bones and joints; and progressive abnormal curvature of the spine. 

  Mr Willis suffers from extreme arthritis and double scoliosis of the spine. 

  It is estimated that roughly one in 100,000 newborns is affected with the condition. 

  
  About half of infants with diastrophic dysplasia are born with an opening in the roof of the mouth.  
  
  He claims the double scoliosis of his spine caused by his condition has altered his walking position and subsequently a string of ongoing back problems.
  
  Mr Willis said his movement has been permanently impaired since he was forced to have surgery on his left leg in 2006, and his right leg and shoulder in 2008. 
  When Cherry was born he could not walk properly. 
  
  'I've had some tough times but the birth of my daughter was like a breath of fresh air,' he said.
  
  'Because of the operations I had to have it felt a little bit like I was starting out again because I had to teach myself to walk and all sorts but Cherry being around made it so special.
  
  'When she was learning to crawl, I was just learning how to walk again so it really is like we've done everything alongside each other. It's a unique bond, there's no other way to put it.'
  
  Mr Willis spent most of his day with Cherry while his wife, Charli, worked part time at the council. 
  
  But Cherry started school last week so the pair will now have less time together.
  
  

  
  

  Playful: Mr Willis said his movement has been permanently impaired since he was forced to have surgery on his left leg in 2006, and his right leg and shoulder in 2008. Pictured, with daughter Cherry and wife Charli
  
  
  

  
  

  Staying strong: Mr Willis, pictured with Cherry and Charli on holiday, said he had faced some tough times
  
  
  

  
  

  Support: When Mr Willis heads out on his specialised wheelchair Cherry pedals along beside him on her bike
  
  He said: 'I'm really proud of her and she seems to have really taken to school life.
  'Cherry's a really confident little girl, probably because of how much time she's spent in adult company at such a young age.
  
  'She's really proud of her dad and there's no issue at all with the other children just because I'm a dwarf.
  
  
  'I don't think she could have settled in any better than she has, she's a lovely girl and we're so proud of her.
  
  
  

  Challenges: When Cherry was learning to crawl, her father was teaching himself how to walk again
  

  
  

  

  
  

  Mr and Mrs Willis on their wedding day, left. Right, an X-ray of Mr Willis' legs with titanium joints
  
  
  Cherry started school last week so the pair (pictured together )will now have less time together

  
  

  
  
  
  Source : Daily Mail , UK