Every child wants is to feel like they fit in. But it can be hard when they find almost no representation in the world around them, including their toys.
Amy Jandrisevits, a former social worker in a pediatric oncology unit, was inspired to create “A Doll Like Me" as she realised how healing and beneficial it is for kids to see their differences reflected in the things they play with — their dolls. “In my time working with the kids, I used dolls in play therapy to help the children express themselves,” Amy said. “It’s hard to tell a child that they are beautiful and follow it with – but you’ll never see yourself in anything that looks like you.”
So she began making her own non-traditional dolls for children with disabilities. Each is handmade and looks just like the child it’s made for, matching their unique physical characteristics, medical issues, and ethnicity. “On the one side, dolls are validating for the little people they reflect. And on the other side, dolls are a tangible way to share kindness and demonstrate acceptance of their differences and diversity.
These children are perfect just the way they are!”
