When I was a kid, I'd spend hours brushing out my Barbie's hair, swapping her shoes, and changing her careers: One second she was a gold medalist, and the next, a celebrated veterinarian. There was nothing Barbie couldn't do.
But as an adult, I now realize that my Barbie wasn't nearly as diverse and well-rounded as I thought she was. She might boast more than 150 careers and 40 nationalities, but when it comes to imaginative options, Ms. Barbara Roberts is pretty limited.
However, she and many other toys are getting special makeovers — and it's all thanks to hard-working mothers and an organization called Toy Like Me.
Everyday, children are born with unique and often challenging conditions, and through this Facebook group, moms are demanding to see those conditions represented in their children's toys.
Now, thanks to the determined campaigning of Toy Like Me, brands like Bratz, Moxie, and Barbie are starting to listen — and the results are tear-jerking.
After scrolling through these incredible photos, be sure to watch the video at the end. Who knew a simple toy could make such a big difference.
Please SHARE if you think every child deserves to feel beautiful, confident, and visible!
IMAGINE…a doll to share your medical journey with. Four-year-old Grace has a rare form of leukemia. She also has Ella, the Chemo Barbie, to brighten her days and her oncologist, Dr. Gaynon, to brighten her health for years to come. Watch her story from the ABC7 special, Imagine: A Celebration of Hope. #LiveLAGiveLA bit.ly/givela
Posted by Children's Hospital Los Angeles on Sunday, December 28, 2014
Toys everywhere, including the iconic and much-beloved Barbie, are beginning to undergo a very special transformation — and it all began with a Facebook group called Toy Like Me.
Run by parents of children with special needs, the mission of Toy Like Me was simple: to demand better representation and greater diversity in children's toys.
The Toy Like Me Facebook page showcased toys that had been customized by parents from scratch — like this Tinkerbell doll with her homemade cochlear implant. Toy Like Me wanted to show toy companies how badly parents wanted and needed unique toys like this for their children.
When a 3D-printing company called Makies learned about this movement, they knew they wanted to be a part of it. In just one week, their custom-made dolls came with brand new options: hearing aids, walking aids, and bespoke facial characteristics.
When Makies first set out to create their 3D-printed dolls, their aim was to provide custom-made dolls for kids of all colors, shapes, and sizes. Now, with these new options, they're truly representing children in realistic, unique ways.
And because Makies is able to design and produce new accessories very quickly, any and all unique needs can be met in a short amount of time.
But Makies isn't the only source for handmade, diverse dolls. All around the world, crafters are revolutionizing dolls right from their very own homes. This particular toy was a former Bratz doll. Now, she'll help to bring a young amputee years of comfort and fun.
This doll has been given a cleft lip and palate, and she's being sold to help support the Cleft Lip and Palate Association. Her designer is also a supporter of the Toy Like Me movement.
Another proponent of the Toy Like Me movement is "Beautiful and Bald Barbie," a Facebook organization striving to better represent children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments, alopecia, or trichotillomania.
Amazingly, Mattel heard their requests, and they're happy to introduce Ella, a bald friend of Barbie who comes with wigs, bandanas, scarves, and hats to help young girls dealing with their hair loss, or the hair loss of a loved one. Ella will be donated to children's hospitals around the country.
Ella is a great start for Mattel — but mothers everywhere are petitioning for more action. As of right now, Ella only comes in one skin tone — and she's not available in stores or online; currently, Mattel is only donating this special doll to hospitals for internal distribution.
But Bratz, too, has made their own line of beautiful hairless dolls. These "True Hope" dolls have recently been introduced to toy stores and online shops. They hope to "instill inspiration, confidence, and strength into young girls in their fight against cancer."
Moxie Girlz have their own "True Hope" line, designed for children 6 years old and up. With purchase of either doll on Amazon, $1.00 is donated to City of Hope, a private, not-for-profit cancer research center.
Little boys, too, can enjoy their own True Hope doll. Online reviews are glowing with thanks for these beautiful dolls. One customer wrote, "My 3-year-old niece is currently undergoing radiation and chemotherapy for brain cancer… So appreciative that these dolls exist!"
But it's not just dolls that can be customized. Another organization, "Molly Olly's Wishes," has decided to tailor-make a stuffed animal named "Olly the Brave." Olly features a detachable mane, and a Central/Hickman Line — used for administering medicine and taking blood samples.
"Microtia UK" — an organization that supports microtia, a congenital deformity that causes the underdevelopment of ears — has introduced a sweet plush of their own. You can purchase Louis, Freya, or Issac, each of which features its own special ear.
Now, Toy Like Me is pushing other toy companies to follow suit. They hope that LEGO will soon introduce more diverse figures, like assistance dogs and wheelchairs.
Meanwhile, parents continue to customize their children's toys by hand. "I've inserted an NG tube into this doll for my little girl who has quad cp and is tube fed," wrote one mom to Toy Like Me.
Now, support and appreciation are flooding in from parents around the world. They're delighted to know that their children may grow up feeling accepted, represented, and appreciated as the unique individuals they are.
"Thank you so much for starting this awesome campaign. My daughter is 10 months old and was born with multiple large facial hemangiomas due to her having a very rare condition called PHACES Syndrome. It warms my heart to know that there are toys out there that she will be able to relate to and cherish as she becomes aware of her unique characteristics."
After all, no two children are alike — so why should their toys be?
Clearly, these diverse and special toys are already having an effect on the self-esteem and confidence of children around the world.
A toy might seem trivial, but to a child facing confusing and difficult obstacles, it could make all the difference.
As one parent wrote on the Facebook wall of Toy Like Me, (My daughter) is 10 years old and would love a doll like her. She is beginning to notice she is different than most of her friends. I always want her to love the way God created her and to embrace her many strengths."
Let's continue to spread the word so more toy companies will diversify their products. Please SHARE so children of all shapes, sizes, colors, and conditions can feel as beautiful and special as they truly are!
Be sure to watch the touching video below, and please SHARE for the sake of children around the world!
