Thousands of American children suffer from Type 1 diabetes. A new Barbie doll has been introduced, mirror-imaging the condition.
### Title: Barbie Doll with Type 1 Diabetes: A Step Forward in Promoting Inclusion and Empathy
In a significant stride towards inclusivity and representation, Mattel has introduced a new Barbie doll that embodies the daily life of a child living with Type 1 diabetes. The doll, adorned with a continuous glucose monitor on her arm and an insulin pump attached to her waist, aims to provide a relatable figure for kids who manage the condition.
The new doll is a powerful tool for promoting empathy and understanding among children. By depicting a doll with diabetes management tools, Mattel encourages children to learn about and empathize with those who have the condition. This can help break down stigmas and foster a more supportive environment.
The doll was developed in collaboration with Breakthrough T1D, ensuring that the medical devices and management strategies depicted are accurate and realistic. This collaboration enhances the doll's educational value, allowing children to gain a deeper understanding of Type 1 diabetes.
The doll, part of Mattel's Fashionista line, dons a blue polka-dot crop top, ruffled miniskirt, chunky heels, and an insulin pump. Her continuous glucose monitor features a graph that shows the highs and lows that can happen during the day, a nod to the colours and symbols for diabetes awareness.
The doll's blood glucose reading is 130 milligrams of sugar per deciliter of blood, which is within the normal range for most people with diabetes. This detail adds a touch of authenticity to the doll, making it even more relatable for children who manage the condition.
The introduction of this doll represents a significant step forward in promoting inclusivity and representation for children with Type 1 diabetes. By featuring a doll that wears a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump, Mattel aims to provide a figure that children can see themselves in, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding.
This move is not Mattel's first foray into representing diversity. In 1997, the company launched Share-a-smile Becky, its first doll with a disability, who used a wheelchair. The company continues to strive for inclusivity, recognising the importance of representation in fostering empathy and understanding.
Emily Mazreku, director of marketing and communications at Breakthrough T1D, worked closely with Mattel to design the doll, drawing on her personal experience of living with Type 1 diabetes. Her daughter does not have the condition, but seeing Barbie managing it with confidence was special for her.
The work to design the diabetes doll was pleasing for Mazreku, as she was able to give one to her 3-year-old daughter who recognised the doll's resemblance to her mother. This underscores the importance of representation in fostering a sense of identity and belonging for children.
Dr. Sian Jones, co-founder of the Toy Box Diversity Lab, believes that playing with dolls that have disabilities can reduce systemic inequality for disabled people. When children play with dolls that have mobility challenges, it helps them understand the struggles of people with disabilities they meet in real life.
In conclusion, the new Barbie doll with Type 1 diabetes is a significant step forward in promoting empathy, understanding, and representation for children with diabetes. This move contributes to a more inclusive and supportive environment, breaking down stigmas and fostering a deeper understanding of the condition.
The new Barbie doll with Type 1 diabetes, as a part of the Fashionista line, is worn with a continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump, making it a valuable tool for promoting health-and-wellness education among children, especially those with medical-conditions such as diabetes. By collaborating with Breakthrough T1D, Mattel ensures that the doll's depiction of diabetes management strategies is accurate and realistic, contributing to the news of greater science-based representation in toys.
