Gone are the days when the pretty looking Barbie was the most desired toy in the world. In an attempt to bring in "greater diversity in the toybox," the "Toy Like Me" campaign has gone viral on both Facebook and Twitter.
The "Toy Like Me" campaign was initiated by the parents of disabled kids, who make-over toys to look like their children, so that they are better able to identify with the toys. A post on their Facebook page welcoming the people to take part in the campaign reads, “If toys are designed to educate us about the world around us, shouldn't their makers be working to nurture disabled kids' self-confidence rather than impose unrealistic ideals they cannot aspire to?”
The campaign kick started on April 19th and became a great success with mothers of disabled children posting pictures of customized toys.
@Caitlinmoran #toylikeme Mums of disabled kids makeover dolls in call for better toy box diversity. Pls help us & RT pic.twitter.com/bhmBfGvFoW
— Toy Like Me (@toylikeme) May 2, 2015 @Caitlinmoran #toylikeme Mums of disabled kids makeover dolls in call for better toy box diversity. Pls help us & RT pic.twitter.com/wLg2dp9vmB
— Toy Like Me (@toylikeme) May 2, 2015Here are some of the tweets by parents:
@toylikeme Ryan (the toy), suffered neurological damage after accident. Adaptations to playhouse by @wilde_rachael pic.twitter.com/xeVvPPtj91
— matthew perryman (@mperryman2000) May 10, 2015 My daughter's doll. It's so important for children to see themselves reflected, as 'normal' #toylikeme @toylikeme pic.twitter.com/RrICoKxfpa
— Cath Bryant (@Rugbychick83) May 2, 2015 How do you give a disfigured kid self-esteem? Show them #toylikeme ! Pls RT @Fern_Britton @joannalumley #FaceEquality pic.twitter.com/uI7a0FV1bm
— Melissa Mostyn (@melissamostyn) April 25, 2015Taking notice of the popular campaign and considering the 770,000 children with disabilities in the UK, Makies, a British toy manufacturer has come forward with a new line of toys for kids with disabilities. Makies has come up with toys bearing birthmarks and scars, and several accessories like walking sticks and hearing aids have been developed by them. Makies have officially confirmed the news through their Facebook page.
“Makies Toy Like Me! The "more diversity in the toy box" campaign struck a chord with us last week, so our engineer Ant got to work on a Makie hearing aid, then a walking aid.Hmm, how about Makies with facial birthmarks? With the help of faceup artists like our amazing customiser friend Sioux, those are possible too. We're super happy about this, and there's more on the way,” reads the post.
According to a Metro UK report, the Makie Dolls have been priced at £69 and are custom-designed for their owner. The report quoted a spokesperson for Makie as saying, “Just like humans, no two Makies are the same. We’re hoping to make some kids – and their parents – really happy with these inclusive accessories.”