They both are amputees
Over the past few years, toy makers have made strides toward designing dolls that represent girls of different ethnicities and body types. The movement had a big big breakthrough last February, when toy giant, Mattel, announced a new line of Barbies that come in tall, petite, and curvy sizes with a wider selection of eye colors and skin tones. Now, a prosthetic limb company out of Long Island, New York is doing its part to help girls with disabilities feel included at playtime as well.
Last week, Courtney Fletcher Bennett, a mother from Texas posted a video on Facebook of her daughter, Emma, receiving a new American Girl doll. But this doll wasn’t like the ones you can buy at the store – it had a prosthetic limb just like her daughter. After opening the box, the 10-year-old girl couldn’t contain her joy. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” she laughed. “It’s got a leg like me!” she said through tears.
A Step Ahead Prosthetics alters American Girl dolls for children who’ve lost limbs for no cost. The company believes that it’s “absolutely crucial” for their self-confidence and feelings of inclusion. “Something as small as a doll that resembles them can have a profound effect on their mental and physical well-being,” its says on its website. A Step Ahead’s owner, Eric Schaefer, was excited to see Emma’s reaction. “Everybody was just in tears,” he told Inside Edition.”It was just amazing to see the little things we could do that are just so special to others.”
For more information on modifying an American Girl doll, contact A Step Ahead here.
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