These Dolls Are Doing Something Big for Kids With Disabilities
Growing up, most little kids want a doll that looks just like them. But since dolls generally don’t span a diverse group of ethnicities, and having a body like Barbie is anatomically impossible, it’s hard for kids to realistically find their own mini-me in doll form. This is even more difficult for the 150 million kids with disabilities worldwide, but Toy Like Me is looking to change that.
Toy Like Me is a campaign that’s calling for more representation of kids with disabilities within the toy industry. And let’s be real: This isn’t just about playtime. For a kid with a disability, fitting in is super difficult. And without much representation of similar people in the media, it’s hard to feel like you belong somewhere.
Thankfully, Makies toy company has stepped in to promote the #ToyLikeMe philosophy by creating personalized, 3D printed dolls to look just like your kiddo. They’ve already made a doll with a facial birthmark, one with a hearing aid and one with a cane. They’ve even got a wheelchair option on the way, and hopefully that’s only the beginning.
Makies is a small British company that’s really showing bigger companies like LEGO and Mattel that the desire for doll diversity is not only there, it’s 100% necessary. With 3D printing capabilities getting more advanced and personalized creations only a couple clicks away, it’s time that we stop settling for generic, stereotype-promoting toys and start seeing a reflection of real people in the toy aisle.
You can order your own customized doll and drop in special requests here and Makies will accommodate the best they can. To help promote the Toy Like Me community in their fight for better disability representation, you can like their Facebook page and share to support the cause.
Do you know a toy brand that’s creating diverse dolls? Spread the word in the comments!
