This Christmas, Lauren’s Nana and Bopa gave her an American Girl Doll named Ruthie. Ruthie is a very special American Girl Doll however, because she too now wears AFO’s. The AFO’s were the first thing Lauren noticed when she opened Ruthie and her first comment regarding the doll was, “look, she has braces just like me.”
Lauren began noticing differences in herself and other children at about age 4. Both that she wears AFO’s and that others have unique qualities as well (i.e., a friend that uses a wheelchair). To help celebrate her unique qualities, Lauren’s mom and dad thought of this great idea. They had always appreciated the quality moral stories that American Girl Dolls promoted and they felt like they celebrated differences as well (i.e., you can purchase wheel chairs, hearing aids, etc. for the dolls). With this in mind and recognizing that the small AFO’s that Lauren used to wear looked like they may be able to be put on a doll, this inspired them to ask Great Steps staff if they would be willing to make an AFO for their little girl’s American Girl Doll.
Since then, Lauren’s Nana has made the Ruthie doll her very own hospital gown as Lauren had surgery in January 2014. They used Ruthie as both a comfort item and somewhat of a teaching tool.
“I think definitely, anytime that a child has a difference, and that difference can be celebrated by someone who can relate, even if it is a doll, it helps to make the differences the norm. We encourage Laruen to ‘check out the cool design on friends AFO’s as well” stated Lauren’s mom.
Stories like Lauren’s are what make working in the O&P industry so rewarding! We hope her story inspires those with children that have disabilities to embrace and celebrate their unique qualities as well.
**NOTE: Anyone interested in a custom device made for their child’s American Girl Doll can contact Heidi at Great Steps by phone: 320-258-0115 ext. 31
My daughter Cloe is 8 years old. She has right hemiplegia due to having a stroke in utero. She recently was able to visit the Amercan Girl Doll store in Virginia, this past June with a friend of her's and purchased her first American Girl Doll. While shopping for accessories she quickly pointed out that there weren't any braces like her's (AFO), but that they did carry other things like a wheelchair, glasses, crutches and hearing aides. I explained to her that maybe we would be able to make an AFO for her doll that looked similar to hers. I really don't think some people realize that children are quick to pick up on differences, whether they are similar in nature or not. Reading this story warms me! I will be sharing this with Cloe this evening, because Lauren and Ruthie's braces are exactly like Cloe's, the only small difference is Cloe's straps are purple :) What a wonderful story, thank you for sharing. I attempted to call Heidi at Great Steps, but heard she is out of the office right now. I will be in touch, I'd love to have one made for Cloe's doll.
ReplyDelete~ Tiffany Gray
Baltimore, MD