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1

Elfere t1_jdapxgf wrote

As someone who suffers from scoliosis - and has known dozens of scoliosis patients - She doesn't look like anyone I've ever met with it (except really mild cases)

Her one shoulder should be higher then the other. Her head might lean to one side. Her hips might be uneven. And maybe one of her legs should be "longer" then the other. Depending which direction the spine goes it might push her body forward or backwards.

So. Basically someone didn't do any research - slapped a back brace on it and said 'she's disabled! We're such a great company'

Downvoted for being fake uplifting news.

She probably doesn't even have any surgical scars running along 80% of her spine and sides after the correction surgery.

If you guys want, I can post some picture of a REAL scoliosis person - I got x rays, mris and some grarly scars to show.

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Elfere t1_jdb6ki5 wrote

Replying to ChosenSCIM (#2,312,842)

I'm happy your scoliosis is so minor that you don't know what I'm talking about. Truly.

Whats wrong with me is I have debilitating scoliosis. Obviously. And this girl looks normal aside from the brace.

−20

Breathejoker t1_jdb6otd wrote

I hope her spine has the mechanics of a bendy straw so she can mimic the owners (if they'd like to)

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Derragon t1_jdb7htk wrote

Replying to Elfere (#2,312,939)

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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blu-juice t1_jdbbh55 wrote

Replying to Elfere (#2,312,939)

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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yogo t1_jdbhrlh wrote

Replying to Elfere (#2,312,939)

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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seedstarter7 t1_jdbie9w wrote

I'm guessing this production comes out of their marketing budget.

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sharksnut t1_jdblnvh wrote

They'll concoct anything before showing an overweight Barbie

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Llamasxy t1_jdbs8uq wrote

I'm sorry, this made me laugh.

1

Aida_Hwedo t1_jdbsntj wrote

Replying to whatfuckingever69 (#2,313,971)

I never did, and my curvature was bad enough that it was absolutely considered. A back brace fixed it enough so I got by without.

My complaint is the doll's age; I don't think many toddlers need treatment. I know it happens, but I suspect the preteen and teen years are MUCH more common.

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Branathon t1_jdbxbwr wrote

Do they have a post ww3 nuclear armageddon victim doll? (It would just be an empty box)

−1

randompersonx t1_jdc194c wrote

Replying to Elfere (#2,311,488)

I was diagnosed with scoliosis last year at age 39. When looking at an x ray from a deca scan, it’s very obvious to see the twists in the spine and the uneven hips…

But when standing up right and wearing clothes, 99.9% of people would never notice it, and would say it’s in my head if I mentioned it.

I can absolutely feel the twist and the effects of it, especially when lying on my side in bed, or lifting weights…

Anyway, having scoliosis doesn’t always mean that you have a very obvious case… and unfortunately for me, because it wasn’t obvious, it didn’t get diagnosed until age 39, when it was far to late to do anything to correct it.

16

Individual_Push8672 t1_jdc4xcg wrote

As a scoliosis patient I would not have wanted this doll. It would have constantly reminded me of my pain... I never got the "disability representation". If I play or watch movies I want an escape - not a constant reminder.

13

ringobob t1_jdca8xo wrote

Replying to ChosenSCIM (#2,312,842)

Gatekeeping? A doll? The doll doesn't actually have scoliosis, you know that, right? It's representing something. In your mind, is this a good, effective representation? In the original commenter's opinion, it's not. They have reasonable reasons why they think that. If you disagree, feel free to make a counter point about why it is good representation. But gatekeeping this is not.

2

WhiskeyAndKisses t1_jdcdwnq wrote

Woah, that's nice. I had to wear a corset, at some point, I wonder what I would have thought of this doll. We often forget how little representative were toys a few decades ago, it wasn't a problem until you looked for a playmobil with glasses but the only one was this weird one from the end of the drawer and half a body missing.

3

Ok-Parking-893 t1_jdcguwn wrote

Replying to Elfere (#2,312,939)

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.

2

Livid-Ad4102 t1_jdcr6yw wrote

Replying to Elfere (#2,312,921)

"How could they just put this barbie in a wheelchair and have her legs look normal when mine are crushed and mangled?? That's not real representation of people with lower body disabilities!"

"How could they just take the lower half of barbies arm to represent amputees when my arm was amputated at the shoulder? I'm glad your amputation was so minor that you don't know what I'm talking about"

These are fun would you like another?

I know they're not perfect comparisons but I had fun

4

ChosenSCIM t1_jdcscry wrote

Replying to ringobob (#2,315,679)

Counter point, original poster is a child having a tantrum over a doll not looking the same as them. This is stupid, I shouldn't have to argue against a massive amount of insanity like this.

2

AndroidwithAnxiety t1_jdcsmis wrote

Replying to friedlock68 (#2,315,220)

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.

2

garry4321 t1_jdctoa3 wrote

Replying to Elfere (#2,311,488)

knowing how factories work, they probably looked at the press that injection molds doll bodies, saw the bin of rejected bodies that were slightly bent, and saw dollar signs.

2

whatfuckingever69 t1_jdcxjpj wrote

Replying to Ok-Parking-893 (#2,316,380)

It shows her with a curved spine, which is likely going to be the most visible symptom for a toddler or child. It also shows the equipment- a back brace. What a miserable life you must lead, always finding the bad. I think this doll is a great step in the right direction. It is okay if it does represent every person ever.

2

MrLumie t1_jdd1qlt wrote

Replying to Anomalocaris (#2,318,542)

Well, good for them, then. Personally, I find this a bit odd, as those with disabilities may not approach the concept of representation the same way as, say, people of a certain culture would. Like, if you've got African heritage, then that's something you take pride in, something you consider a part of your identity and want people to recognize you as. People with disabilities would like to just not be disabled. They don't particularly like being disabled, and many don't want to be treated and recognized as one with disability. In that regard, this kinda representation seems... more icky, I guess?

1

Anomalocaris t1_jdd45zl wrote

Replying to MrLumie (#2,318,726)

it's more nuanced that that.

many disabilities are permanent. and the healthy thing you can do is accept.

and look into the social model of disability. for example, a wheelchair bound person isn't blocked from the second for for lacking legs, bit rather because the building wasn't built to be accessible. having representation of disabled people will make them more visible and encourage more accessible infrastructure and actually making disabled people less disabled.

2

TechyGuyInIL t1_jdd6ndw wrote

All the toys I had as a kid looked nothing like me and I was fine.I just don't see why this is such a big deal.

2

ChosenSCIM t1_jdd7gxs wrote

Replying to ringobob (#2,318,257)

This is what equality looks like. People who use braces are represented in dolls now. It's a small thing that barely matters, but this is a push on the right direction.

I don't want to be treated like some kind of other group. Having a brace for scoliosis is not something that should be shunned or put on a pedestal.

I want corporations to treat me like everyone else. As a wallet for them to exploit.

The person who wrote the original comment sounds like they want pity for their condition. Pity is for losers. I don't let any of my disabilities define me and I despise people like that.

1

bibliophile224 t1_jddm60y wrote

I wore a back brace for scoliosis in high school. No one knew what it was and I had to explain to pretty much everyone what scoliosis was and what the brace was supposed to do. What I love about this is that it teaches younger kids about different mobility aids even if they themselves do not have that disability.

1

lurkermofo t1_jddvk02 wrote

So now blind, deaf, obese, anxious, cancerous, amputated, club foot, and overly sweaty dolls are next…..right???and the other 5 million items that need representation. Do they not realized that when you “represent” one thing, it makes all the other “ non represented“ feel less important??

1

ChosenSCIM t1_jdehjyd wrote

Replying to ringobob (#2,320,709)

This particular and exact situation is a good thing. If you want to twist my words and make it sound stupid, then go ahead. My point is that no grown adult should be getting their panties in a twist over a doll with a brace.

1

MrLumie t1_jden1ui wrote

Replying to Anomalocaris (#2,318,941)

>many disabilities are permanent. and the healthy thing you can do is accept.

Still, given the opportunity they would rather not be disabled. That's the difference. Accepting their disability is one thing. Taking pride in it, or wanting to be identified as their disability is another. The latter, I would say, is rather rare.

​

>having representation of disabled people will make them more visible and
encourage more accessible infrastructure and actually making disabled
people less disabled.

That's not quite true. Representation generally makes people more visible to the common person. The common person who is not in charge of deciding how the infrastructure is designed. That would be lawmakers. And the eye of the law neither ignores disabled people (there are tons of regulations about accessibility for building infrastructure), nor would it care about scoliosis Barbie. You're reading a bit too much into this.

1

Anomalocaris t1_jdf7pqv wrote

Replying to MrLumie (#2,324,457)

common people are definitely involved in your infrastructure is designed.

from electing officials who approve projects to whoever is in the design team.

plus, add the cirbcut effect, wherein accomodation for disabilities ends up being helpful and convenient to everyone.

and you are wrong about an absolutist statement of "they rather not be disabled". especially considering that in many aspects, it is society that disables them, and that can be fixed. but because of lack of representation, it is ignored instead.

1

TrampledWaffle t1_jdf9jpt wrote

Imagine having scoliosis and waking up seeing a Barbie doll that mocks your condition

1

PureCornsilk t1_jdg2hws wrote

She has scoliosis !!

Mattel, the makers of Barbie, has introduced its first-ever doll with scoliosis.

The toy company has launched its new Chelsea doll, who is Barbie’s little sister, with a curved spine and a removable back brace.

Citing the “power of representation”, the brand aims to normalise the equipment and encourage children to celebrate inclusion with its latest addition to the Barbie family.

Mattel worked closely with Dr Luke Macyszyn, a board-certified neurosurgeon and specialist in children’s complex spinal disorders, in order to develop the doll.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/barbie-scoliosis-doll-chelsea-b2272781.html

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