tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post6336139126861782699..comments2024-03-17T12:02:12.410-04:00Comments on Love That Max : When smart people make clueless remarks about special needs Ellen Seidmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-61602247145736242202016-07-05T17:21:33.095-04:002016-07-05T17:21:33.095-04:00For these girls (especially those who want a doll ...For these girls (especially those who want a doll companion at the hospital) having a doll that looks like them is a sense of excitement. American girl has since added crutches (the type that wrap around the arm), more widely publicized the ability to have a bald doll, and a diabetes pump. When girls see there non-disabled friends playing with look-alike dolls, they question why there are no dolls for them. https://www.change.org/p/jean-mckenzie-mattel-help-american-girl-understand-why-limb-difference-dolls-are-so-importantAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-52949767473907328032015-12-12T13:25:01.129-05:002015-12-12T13:25:01.129-05:00First- your RC wheelchair idea is great. Just bril...First- your RC wheelchair idea is great. Just brilliant.<br />Second- depending on the particular condition, people with disabilities may very well use a wheelchair that looks like that. My wheelchair looks like that. I have a medical condition that makes it impossible for me to wheel myself in a wheelchair when I need it, while other times I'm perfectly capable of walking around. It's strange, but it's actually not that uncommon. When I need the wheelchair I can't even work an electric one and have to rely on friends and family to push me. I also never know when I'm going to go from "I can walk just fine" to "maybe I need something to lean on" to "yeah, moving isn't happening right now" so if I know I'm going to be out and about for a while I will always take my wheelchair. Which looks like that, but with less colors and footrests.<br />While, yes, I'd love to see a variety of wheelchair options, and the RC motorized chair would be brilliant, and I'd really like to see them come out with a feature character with a disability, I can accept the current chair for now. It does actually resemble a chair that people with disabilities use- just not necessarily the ones you think of when you think of a person in a wheelchair.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-39712342357515087472015-06-08T03:20:13.023-04:002015-06-08T03:20:13.023-04:00I have Cerebral Pausly and you don't live in ...I have Cerebral Pausly and you don't live in the real world. I am 32 and i have to explain to people all the time about my CP. Why? Because I like doing what everyone else is doing I don't let my CP stop me from living a life. But if I want to live normal life, people need to know how best for me to do something. <br /><br />He will have to explain to people to understand so he can do what he wants in life. It comes with the package.<br /><br />It makes me cringe that you would give your son such a doll. Why would you keep reminding him he is different? <br /><br />Just because your son as hearing problem doesn't mean you have to treat him like he has one. Treating him like everyone else is greatest gift a parent could give a child with disablity.<br /><br />Our lives are hard enough as it is, just to be treated like everyone else makes life a lot easier for you and him.<br /><br />You will never fully understand your son and what he goes through, because you don't live your life with no sound.<br /><br />Personally I find these dolls to be very offensive. These dolls will create nothing but trouble for us. It puts us in a group. And send a negative message.<br /><br />You do realize by giving son a doll with a hearing aid is telling him he is not normal. Not normal leads to be treated as special.<br /><br />It also says you gave it to him because he is handicap. <br /><br />Get use to people staring, asking questions. Comes with the package. You either have two choices. Explain or just walk away. Because in reality it's none of their business. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06353520659780092357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-29307257604517158752015-06-08T02:58:08.699-04:002015-06-08T02:58:08.699-04:00Thank you. I have CP. You make my life a lot easie...Thank you. I have CP. You make my life a lot easier! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06353520659780092357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-46520509729490071992015-06-08T02:54:49.337-04:002015-06-08T02:54:49.337-04:00As a person with ceberal pausly, I rather they NO...As a person with ceberal pausly, I rather they NOT makes dolls with disabilities for children with disabilities. I find these dolls really offensive.<br /><br />Many will not understand me, and those that do and agree with me, you are the ones that make our lives easier.<br /><br />Do you realize the message you are sending out to people with disabilities. "Here's a doll with a disability. I am giving it to you, because you a have disablity. " <br /><br />Giving a person who has disablity a toy which has a disability is telling them they are "different ", and not normal. <br /><br />Yes, we know we have disability but do we need it shove in our faces constantly, we have to deal with our disabilities everyday, we don't need a doll to remind us once "again " we're not normal. <br /><br />If you weight 600 lbs and people around you treated you like you were different and special how would that make you feel? Then they gave you a fat doll, because you're fat too how would that make you feel?<br /><br />If you really view people with disabilities no different than everyone else you wouldn't feel the need for them to have a toy with a disability. In other words you don't see us as normal. <br /><br />Our disablity doesn't define us. Just treat us normal. Treating us normal is the greatest gift you can give us than a doll with a hanicap.<br /><br />We are like everyone else, playing with toys that the other kids play with makes us feel normal. Our lives are hard enough as it is, we don't need to be reminded that we're not.<br /><br />These dolls create segregation, because once again people who think we need a doll with disablity are putting us in a group. Please stop that.We're human. Please stop thinking you know what's best for us, because you don't, and you never will. If you weren't not born with a disablity you have no clue. So stop trying so hard to understand us. <br /><br />Stop treating us as special or different. We are no different than anyone else , the toys that every kid plays with will do just fine.<br /><br />Having dolls with disabilities won't change the world, there will always be stupid, mean people. Instead of worrying about how we should be represented, instead teach your kids to be strong, independent individuals who can handle the real world. Teach your kids that there are people with disabilities, just because people who have disabilities doesn't mean they are not normal. <br /><br />These dolls are telling us we shouldn't play with the other toys because they don't have disabilities. Someone already told me that we didn't need to play with barbie anymore because we have our very own toys now.<br /><br />These toys will just make our lives that much harder, for we will have to tell people we are normal to play with other kids' toys. <br /><br />We are no different from anyone else just let us do what everyone else is doing. Stop thinking you know what best for us, because you don't. What you think is best for us, is really wrong way.<br /><br />Not everything needs to be modify for us, especially not toys!<br /><br />What's next teddy bears with handicaps? Bi, gay, Transgender dolls? Tvs with wheelchairs? There doesn't need to be a doll for everything single thing.<br /><br />Here's some wise words. If you know someone or a child with disablity. JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE DISABILITY DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO TREAT US AS WE'RE DISABLE. <br />No handicap dolls.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06353520659780092357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-51438399139597359652012-11-30T12:05:27.613-05:002012-11-30T12:05:27.613-05:00HA!!!!!!!! Funny, but sadly true.HA!!!!!!!! Funny, but sadly true.Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-81851288610413139002012-11-30T11:34:13.764-05:002012-11-30T11:34:13.764-05:00"Does it put too much emphasis on the individ..."Does it put too much emphasis on the individual?" she mused. "Is it all connected to this new selfishness, the kind of parenting that insists every child is a special snowflake, worthy of praise for just existing?"<br /><br />Wha? that doesn't even make sense. Oh and American Girls is ALL about customization. That their MY American Girl line is.<br /><br />Grr... and who says these toys are meant just for children with disabilities. As I posted earlier, my 2 year old cousin who is not disabled loved playing with a play wheelchair I bought. Because it's fun, first and foremost. Awareness and education second.<br /><br />Come on people, (Dodi) think beyond what you assume and give children more credit that their not as self-centered as you think they are. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17638311012930489475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-74624862195099709962012-11-30T05:17:22.522-05:002012-11-30T05:17:22.522-05:00Gotta love the $38 wheelchair - at least it's ...Gotta love the $38 wheelchair - at least it's consistent with how overpriced all disability gear us! Now, let's add the custom head rest, shoulder supports, AAC mount, etc and we'll easily get a $100 chair!ennydotshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16735619761389290870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-39730969574844292352012-11-30T04:58:39.067-05:002012-11-30T04:58:39.067-05:00But maybe that's her point: that it shouldn...But maybe that's her point: that it shouldn't be just the parents of children with special needs that buy this stuff, that if the company created a line of special needs dolls, each with their own story, rather than just selling customization accessories to make the doll like the child, they could educate a much wider audience and "normalize" disabilities more. As to the "special snowflakes" point, there is evidence which shows that (non-special needs) children treated this way end up achieving less - A child who is brought up to feel overly special will not have a realistic sense of itself, and at the same time will be less willing to attempt challenging tasks, as failure would disprove their "specialness". Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-64323618416420975392012-11-30T04:06:33.822-05:002012-11-30T04:06:33.822-05:00I agree w/ you Ellen. They need to focus on inclus...I agree w/ you Ellen. They need to focus on inclusion not exclusion. I use a wheelchair. I'm 20. I want the next disney princess in a wheelchair. However I want her to save the prince from an evil vampire unicorn to show that people in wheelchairs are a hero not the damsel in distress. My movie plot would also take away pity. Sorry to get off topic. I do think that in the next cars movie there should be a car/wheelchair. Max would probably like that. I think the doll is an awesome idea. I had a Barbie when I was little in a wheelchair. It was made from flimsy cheap plastic which broke quickly. However, I loved it.<br />Thanks,<br />TuesonaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-78263632946771392852012-11-30T03:01:12.401-05:002012-11-30T03:01:12.401-05:00WTF is wrong with this complainer? The whole Amer...WTF is wrong with this complainer? The whole American Girl franchise is based on the idea of constructing a "doll that looks like me." You can pick out hair color/eye color/skin color and accessories, you can even have the manufacturers send matching clothes so the kid and doll can dress alike--so what's wrong with a few more accessories in the options list? The things are out of the price range of most people in the working class, but that's a separate issue. If people can afford it, why not let them buy what the market will bear? The complainer needs to get a life and stop worrying so much about what other parents buy for their kids. Felicianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-24496276926192261262012-11-30T00:49:52.436-05:002012-11-30T00:49:52.436-05:00My nephew is sensitive to gluten and is very aware...My nephew is sensitive to gluten and is very aware of his gluten free food. I think he would definitely get a kick out of it but would be fine with regular food, too. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-54942185075682317282012-11-30T00:45:17.896-05:002012-11-30T00:45:17.896-05:00Calling disabled kids special snowflakes only serv...Calling disabled kids special snowflakes only serves to further label and separate them from average children. The same is true with the name of the entire product line, Special Sparkle. And, as was said previously, that wheelchair looks like hospital issue. This product line is teaching nothing positive. It seems only to promote sales within a specific market, and a good-deed feeling for the manufacturer.marcynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-40992375906863253782012-11-29T23:51:16.625-05:002012-11-29T23:51:16.625-05:00As an editor, I can honestly say that's a defi...As an editor, I can honestly say that's a definitely possibility!Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-20530666064269202042012-11-29T20:03:32.955-05:002012-11-29T20:03:32.955-05:00As several parents have said I feel like buying th...As several parents have said I feel like buying these dolls and corresponding (overpriced ;) accessories would be more geared towards making Syona feel like there were other kids just like her out there...that used the same gear, and had the same special equipment that helped her live her life. <br /><br />On a sidenote I'll definitely be purchasing one of these dolls with pink hearing aids for my friend's daughter who has ones that look the exact same. And I'll hope for some black and white animal print AFOs to buy for Syona's future doll (that's not too specific or individualized, right?) ...because, hey, almost any kid I know thinks it's cool when a toy looks like them - special needs or not.<br /><br />Great post and perspective Ellen.Anchel (@AnchelK)http://www.todaysparent.com/specialneedsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-62538099201845071792012-11-29T16:39:02.692-05:002012-11-29T16:39:02.692-05:00Personally as I a person with a hearing loss I wis...Personally as I a person with a hearing loss I wish that they had the doll hearing aid when i was in the doll stage. I ounce put playdough in my doll's ear so she could have a hearing aid. Also I thinks it promotes inclusion and makes kids happy to see that their doll can be like them.Kathrynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-45820178649861799572012-11-29T15:07:31.976-05:002012-11-29T15:07:31.976-05:00ps -- one other thought! When my young son got a g...ps -- one other thought! When my young son got a g-tube, I had a wonderful friend who sewed into two dolls real g-tubes and sent us the syringes and other supplies, and they were a huge hit when kids came over and we explained about Ben's g-tube. This is no different. When a child with disability pulls out her doll with hearing aids and wheelchair, her friend without disability is going to go "Cool. Maybe I should get my dolls some hearing aids."BLOOM - Parenting Kids With Disabilitieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901482901008135659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-43437276780244744182012-11-29T14:00:06.240-05:002012-11-29T14:00:06.240-05:00I don't mean does the food make a difference, ...I don't mean does the food make a difference, I get that it does. I just wondered if a child who has the challenges that your kids have would feel left out if her AG doll had to eat "regular" food because she (the kid) can't. That was my question.ELRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03724720603912552090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-83803347401306673532012-11-29T13:37:05.955-05:002012-11-29T13:37:05.955-05:00Cabbage Patch years ago had a doll that came with ...Cabbage Patch years ago had a doll that came with AFOs and cuffed crutches. I don't know if they still have that, but when my eldest was younger, I happily bought that one!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-20465404135899232662012-11-29T12:35:40.907-05:002012-11-29T12:35:40.907-05:00I want what you want for Max: To be treated as non...I want what you want for Max: To be treated as non-special Nishahttp://nisha360.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-77423982133675259802012-11-29T12:31:28.934-05:002012-11-29T12:31:28.934-05:00My son wears one hearing aid. He has one doll tha...My son wears one hearing aid. He has one doll that came with his aid that also wears and aid. He never plays with it. He prefers, bert and ernie and elmo. he is only 2, so he never really questions why he wears his aid (or his "Laura" - he named it after his ST), or why other people do not. Maybe that will come later. <br />This summer, for the first time, I was startled when another child at the playground asked her dad "what was in that little boy's ear"? I didn't know how to react. Frankly, if you could not see the aid (if by analogy he could wear ear contact lenses instead of glasses), you would never know my son was "different". thankfully, I was quickly able to put aside my instant inclination to defend my son, and simply answer the question. "He needs that to help him hear, just like your dad needs glasses to help him see. But when he wears that, he hears just as well as you do." <br /><br />So, I hope that by offering these products my son won't have to answer the "what is that" question. And, I agree that ALL children, not just special needs, are "special snowflakes" not in the "everyone should get a trophy" or "nothing is every my kid's fault because he is so special" way (that I detest),but that each has a different combination of strengths and weaknesses that makes them who they are and makes them different from everyone else. Different does not equal better, but it does equal special. Meaganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04999403398189799418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-41325012840116494952012-11-29T11:53:15.108-05:002012-11-29T11:53:15.108-05:00My daughter is American Girl Doll crazy. Her older...My daughter is American Girl Doll crazy. Her older brother (9) isn't into the dolls but thinks all the accessories are cool. For both of them, their favorite accessory is the wheelchair. They've coveted it through multiple trips to the AG store. No one in our family or daily social circle uses a wheelchair. Props to AG for this accessory and the opportunity for kids to digest, through play, that wheelchairs are a normal (dare I say cool)part of everyday living. The AG wheelchair is arriving from Santa this Christmas.<br /><br />NE MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-36483010592532760842012-11-29T11:20:59.204-05:002012-11-29T11:20:59.204-05:00The first time I took my daughter to an American ...The first time I took my daughter to an American Girl store, she wanted to buy a wheelchair for her doll. My daughter is NOT in a wheelchair, but her big brother is. When her friends come over, they love the doll wheelchair. My kids friends love our regular wheelchairs, too. My son has a power chair and a manual chair and whichever one he isn't in, another kid gets in when they're over. I can tell you that I think ANY kid would enjoy a RC power wheelchair! When Rescue Heroes were a popular toy, there was one in a wheelchair. We bought it for my son and he loved that it was a cool hero dude in a wheelchair, like him.<br />~Jill (Jack's mom)Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11139803643250625806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-10154437432794621152012-11-29T10:41:11.294-05:002012-11-29T10:41:11.294-05:00Overall I agree with Julia - I felt the overall to...Overall I agree with Julia - I felt the overall tone was positive - but the sentence about selfishness and "special snowflakes" was bizarre to me! It almost sounds like something an editor made her slip in for controversy's sake, because it doesn't fit with the rest of the tone of that paragraph, let alone the article.MarfMomhttp://marfmom.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-28191067088551291622012-11-29T10:38:34.469-05:002012-11-29T10:38:34.469-05:00as the mama of a child who has nut and gluten alle...as the mama of a child who has nut and gluten allergies, as well as her little sister who has a g-tube, HECK YES the food makes a difference. do you have any idea what it's like for her to go to a birthday party and only be able to eat the special snack i brought for her? sometimes i want to say no to invites just to avoid the awkward, my kid can't eat anything at your party conversation. <br />while we won't be buying american girl dolls for lots of reasons, i have given one of my daughter's baby's a g-tube, and whenever she pretends to feed her baby dolls she always tells the baby, 'this is gwutwin safe.' the family of mannchester estatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01989615450493104842noreply@blogger.com