A doll maker in Wisconsin is changing children’s lives by making sure each and every one of them is represented. Owner of the small and influential business “A Doll Like Me,” Amy Jandersevits created her vision with one goal: To make dolls with the exact same characteristics as their owners who are more often than not, children that have disabilities and/or rare conditions.
While working as a social assistant in a pediatric oncology unit four years ago, Amy felt inspired to create representative toys for children to make them feel needed and included because of the lack of diversity of the dolls being sold in major stores.
For each doll to be unique, Amy replicates every little detail such as limb differences, to the smallest birthmarks in order to completely resemble each child. The only thing they have in common is the brilliant smile found in every doll.
“It’s so difficult to tell a kid ‘you’re beautiful just the way you are, but you’re never going to see a doll that looks like you.” – says the founder of A Doll Like Me.
“Typically, parents or caregivers pay for the dolls – about $100 with shipping per doll. When they can’t afford it, I’ll find a way to cover it myself. Whatever it costs, whatever I have to do, I’m going to get a doll in the hands of these children. This isn’t just a business. It’s the right thing to do.”
After making and delivering 300 dolls all over the world, Amy’s next goal is to convert her small business to a non-profit organization where children can get their own representative dolls free of charge. She has already began the company change by starting a GoFund.me account where she already received donations of up to $38,000 with the goal of $50,000 for the dolls. Amy has also partnered up with a children’s hospital to help make the children confined a little happier by giving them their own dolls to show they are special and unique just as they are.
Check out her Facebook page to see if you can help too! What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
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