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KingRobotPrince t1_jdatmgo wrote

Reply to comment by Elfere in Barbie maker celebrates ‘power of representation’ with scoliosis doll by wol_75

Isn't one shoulder higher than the other in the pic? Zoom in.

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Elfere t1_jdb6qxb wrote

Perhaps it is.

I dunno why I got triggered by this.

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Derragon t1_jdb7htk wrote

Sometimes hard to see the good side of things when you've constantly been dealt a shitty hand. I hope there's progress with improving your quality of life because that sounds rough af - I couldn't imagine having to deal with it myself.

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awholedamngarden t1_jdb9jbr wrote

It’s totally okay to want representation that actually represents your experience. Hugs dude ❤️

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yogo t1_jdbhrlh wrote

It can be really hard to tell the difference between representation and disability porn. I also have bad scoliosis and initially felt triggered too. This doll just doesn’t capture the disfiguring pain and physical features but then again I’m not sure how plastic is supposed to show that. At any rate, I get you.

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friedlock68 t1_jdc4ers wrote

Uhhh.. disability porn?

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yogo t1_jdcsjz4 wrote

It describes the voyeuristic nature and exploitation; has nothing to with sex. Sorry for the confusion.

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awholedamngarden t1_jddmo31 wrote

A lot of people find disabled people “inspiring” in a way that is pretty objectifying

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AndroidwithAnxiety t1_jdcsmis wrote

Depictions of disability that don't go further than the aesthetics / surface level idea of what that condition is, and that fail to actually represent disability in a meaningful (or respectful) way.

I.e: a doll with scoliosis has a back brace but no other elements of scoliosis, reducing and sanitizing the condition down to an accessory.

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blu-juice t1_jdbbh55 wrote

I’d side with you on this one. I wouldn’t consider it a celebration of “the power of representation,” at least from the picture the doll itself. It looks normal with a cheap plastic brace. My dad had a full on upper body metal brace when he was younger, and his spine fused with a metal rod.

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Ok-Parking-893 t1_jdcguwn wrote

Probably because it's a bullshit attempt at virtue signaling to sell product instead of any actual concern. My wife had to have the brace and her case was actually very mild. Just as you say, real scoliosis patients are very hard pressed physically and the mental toll is high. They don't need a doll, they need better treatment options. Understand, I have no problem with a company targeting disabled folks to sell them a product those folks might enjoy or want However, Mattel (maker of Barbie) had 5.5 BILLION dollars in revenue last year. If they really wanted to help, rather than make a doll to market, they could sell the doll and donate 100% of the profits to research on scoliosis. Or even just look up the addresses the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS).or the international Society on Scoliosis Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) and mail them a million dollar check.

Virtue signaling for profit pisses me off too. I hope the best for you.

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