Comments on: “Disability Dolls”: A Blessing or a Curse?

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By: Tania

Tania — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:23:20 +0000

I grew up with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. I would have LOVED to have a doll that had a small, underdeveloped jaw like I did/do.

By: Disability Doll Distaste: More Down Syndrome Douchebaggery at Hoyden About Town

Disability Doll Distaste: More Down Syndrome Douchebaggery at Hoyden About Town — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:43:21 +0000

[...] commenter at Fibrofog states point blank that giving a child a doll with the facial features of Down syndrome (or with a [...]

By: Hala J.

Hala J. — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:09:32 +0000

Hey, I’m new to your blog.

Interesting post. I’m actually not against introducing dolls with disabilities, but it depends on the child and what they’ve been exposed to so far.

But I think it’s a good idea because dolls often represent things the child sees in every day life. Disabled people included. I think it’s a very interesting concept. I don’t have kids, but if I did I don’t think I’d be against introducing them to toys like that.

By: thematrix777

thematrix777 — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:58:19 +0000

I think in general they are a good idea. However, it would depend on the child I was giving it to. If they were overly sensitive about their disability this may not be the right time to introduce a doll.

By: willow

willow — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:50:35 +0000

Children are smart, curious and intuitive. They learn character and empathy by living experiences, not having platitudes shoved down their throats. Giving a child a static object with paralyzed legs in a shiny new wheelchair, a scar on its face, the features of Downs syndrome, or no eyes, will teach them to identify with stereotypes, not reality, and promote misunderstanding and discrimination. I find this as ludicrous as giving him a doll that is a drunk, or mimics a drug overdose. Back then, a doll was an old sock or a carved stick of wood, and the child used his experience and imagination to give it reality. Let your child ask the disabled person in a wheelchair in the elevator how that joystick works, instead of telling him to shut up and you will explain when you get home. Expose him to real people and let him follow his own experiences, and he will not need a limp piece of plastic with pretend paralyzed legs.

By: SC Vashishth

SC Vashishth — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:10:26 +0000

I think it is good to produce dolls on wheelchairs or dolls portraying other disabilities as an ordinary part of life. Not only dolls, to ensure inclusion and enhance acceptance, children with disabilities should be shown in cartoon networks and shows also. In text books while showing group of friends, there could be one using cane and one on wheelchair or using crutch. It increases their acceptance and is a step towards inclusive world where disability is not looked at as a pity!
Regards
SC Vashishth, Disability Rights Activist, New Delhi, India

By: Emily

Emily — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:36:55 +0000

I agree that there should be dolls of all different kinds…what is “normal,” anyways? I also thought this blog post on the dolls was really insightful –

http://www.disaboom.com/Blogs/karaswims/archive/2008/06/27/move-over-becky-there-are-new-disability-dolls-in-town.aspx

By: » “Disability Dolls”: A Blessing or a Curse?

» “Disability Dolls”: A Blessing or a Curse? — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:52:21 +0000

[...] Autism Vox wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptI saw an interesting article the other day about dolls specially made to represent people with disabilities. Down Syndrome, cancer, blindness are being represented in some of the new dolls being made, as well as dolls that use wheelchairs. The article gives three different perspectives, one in support of the doll and two against. The support says that children should be able to have dolls that look like them, while the opposition says that it puts too much focus on children’s differences. Personally, much the way I wish dolls representing other races were more readily available (I remember last Christmas finding a non-white doll for my partner’s mixed niece was difficult to say the least), I think that people with disabilities should be represented, even with dolls. I don’t think we should be trying to convince children that they’re no different than “everyone else”. […] [...]