Most children who play with dolls will at one point yearn for a doll that looks kind of like him or her. Well, American Girl will soon release a doll with a diabetic care kit, so kids with diabetes will feel like they have a toy to which they can relate.
So, how did this all happen? In January 2014, then-11-year-old Anje Busse, from Wisconsin, started a Change.org campaign asking American Girl to make diabetic accessories for dolls. Only three months prior, she had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
In the petition, she wrote:
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“I feel so different now and my whole life has been turned around. I want to have diabetic accessories for my American Girl doll so she is just like me. I just want everyone to feel good about themselves no matter if they have something ‘wrong with them.’ Whether they have a disability, blindness, deaf, diabetes, and so much more! It’s important to feel good about yourself! No matter who you are!”
Her efforts proved successful, as the petition received over 4,000 signatures. Two days ago, Busse announced her victory on Facebook: the company will release the $24 diabetic care kit for dolls starting in January, which was also reported in The Los Angeles Times.
Anje’s mom told The LA Times how her daughter just wanted other kids to feel less alone: “She wanted her doll to be like her, but she also wanted other kids to know they’re not alone. It’s just amazing. We’re really excited.”
We’re pretty sure her mom is kvelling right now. Don’t forget to check out Anje’s heartwarming petition video below:
