Down Syndrome Dolls

I can see both sides of this, myself. On the one hand, it is only fair that there be dolls that the children with downs syndrome and other disabilities can relate to, but on the other hand, making specific dolls for them alone simply highlights the fact that they are different.

It's similar to the "black doll" stuff. If all dolls were white, black kids would have to play with white dolls. However, a black kid probably has more trouble relating to a white doll.

The way I would go about deciding which side I would take, though, is to look at it from the point-of-view of the child, which is what I think the parents all need to do. Here's my analysis of each possibility:

No dolls with disabilities: The children with disabilities don't have a doll to relate to, and realize that all of the dolls that they ever see are all "normal", which makes the child think that they are not "normal." In society, however, there's nobody making dolls specifically for disabled kids, so socially, they are not quite as "different," or at least the fact that they are different isn't highlighted quite as much.

Yes dolls with disabilities: The children with disabilities now have a doll that they can relate to. No longer are they different from all of the dolls. Now they feel more "normal" or "accepted." However, the fact that someone is making dolls specifically for disabled kids highlights the fact that disabled kids are "different." Either way, in the end, the kids don't know the difference. The kids themselves would feel more accepted, even if that isn't the case in the real world.

So the important thing is that, on the one hand, the kids feel "different," and on the other hand, the kids feel "normal" and accepted. The truth is that most likely they are wrong that they are more accepted, but at least they feel that way, and that's the important thing. The kids wouldn't know the difference, but they would be happier with dolls they can relate to.

Hm, I think the handicapped kid(s) would become too codependent upon the dolls. The only other people they really converse with are their parents.

At 2 of the psych wards if been in, some women would either carry a doll or a teddy bear and believe that it was their child, and living. They would changed their diapers, attempt to feed them at lunch, talk to them daily... It was quite bizzaar.

I think that's what the handicapped would eventually do.

::EDIT:: I really don't understand the blind doll with the dog.. the kid is blind they wouldn't even know what the hell they're holding.

Children shouldn't be allowed dolls. They should be put to work in coal mines at age 3.

A noble idea, sadly none would rejoice its resurrection. :'C