All every kid wants is to feel like they fit in. As a former social worker in a hospital, Amy Jandrisevits understands well how helpful it is for kids to see their differences reflected in their dolls. That’s what inspired her to create “A Doll Like Me”.
“In my time working with the kids, I used dolls in play therapy (游戏疗法) to help the children express themselves,” Amy said. “It’s hard to tell a child that they are beautiful but follow it with — but you’ll never see yourself in anything that looks like you.” So she began making her own non-traditional Raggedy Ann dolls for disabled children. Each is handmade and looks just like the child it’s made for, matching their unique physical characteristics, medical conditions, and ethnicity(种族特征).
Each costs about $100 to make and transport, but if families can’t afford to pay, Amy covers the cost with funds raised through GoFundMe. She’s also partnered with a children’s hospital to help provide other kids with dolls for comfort as they go through their medical care. So far, she’s made over 300 dolls, and her admirable efforts definitely aren’t going unnoticed. In fact, she was selected as GoFundMe’s Hero of December in 2018!
Amy says her ultimate goal is to be able to give out all the dolls for free. “If we’re going to look at mental health as a necessary part of medical care, this is key,” Amy said. “It is an honor to be recognized for what is my labor of love and it is amazing that other people believe in the power of representation. “On the one side, these dolls confirm that these kids they reflect deserve to be loved. And on the other side, dolls are a tangible(有形的) way to share kindness and demonstrate acceptance. These children are perfect just the way they are!”
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