Okay, I don’t know if anyone has tried this, but I would like to do so in the future with an inexpensive kit, hopefully a BB sale kit.
I want to make a reborn that has a partial limb or a few partial limbs. Like, one without hands or one without legs. This way children that have these differences don’t feel so alone. They can take care of a baby doll that looks the same as them. I already have ideas on how I will go about doing this, but I want to get an idea for what you think about it.
http://discourse.bountifulbaby.com/t/handicapped-baby/32953/5
I went through months of research and made this baby. The mom loved it! Then mom contacted me weeks later and said her daughter just wants the baby healed (bless her!). So I replaced the arm with a standard arm and wrapped that one in tissue paper for them if she changed her mind.
I would not do one unless it was specifically for someone, or if you just want to do it for the experience. With Jamie’s customer, I am not surprised that the daughter wanted her baby “healed”.
I think the only suggestion I would have would be: How exactly are you going to create this “amputee”. Are you just going to cut off a hand, foot, partial arm or leg?? The problem would be “repairing” the part of the limb that was left. If you use clay or something similar and expect that to hold up to child’s play, I don’t think it would work. I could be wrong. Also I have to agree with the post above, most people would want a “healed” baby. JMO
Actually I was thinking for more of an adolescent. Someone who has low confidence, because of being bullied in school and is in need of a friend. Not sure that I appreciated everything that you said. Thanks for the input though.
That is such a sweet idea! Maybe if you left off the whole limb then sew or cinch up the hole with a cable tie. It may not match exactly but be similar enough to make the child feel “less different”.
Handicaps are a really touchy subject. One person with an amputation may appreciate a doll like this whereas another may feel it is a mockery. It’s just so hard to predict how a person will feel about it. I say go for it if you want to try it, and don’t be offended by people’s opinions. I’m sure Jamie can give you some pointers since she has done one. and having the healed arm just in case is a great idea.
I have seen a video on facebook of a little girl getting a unique American Girl doll that was made to be like her and she absolutely loved it.
So I agree with Paula… It will depend on the person but I am sure that a child/adult out there somewhere would love a well made special baby.
Not everyone will like your work, but there will be a mom that falls in love. I would use the terms differently able, just me personally having a child who uses a wheel chair (terms changes constantly bur handicap/disabled/special needs limits in my views so this is just a thought in my opinion ). Whenever talking or writing we use people first language, a child with a missing limb, a girl who uses a wheel chair so that the limit does not become the person. My daughter was sooooo happy to have a doll that had feet braces like her. As long as you word properly, make your set up look beautiful just a typical baby, it doesn’t matter what others think it can be a beautiful idea!!! Some people may not understand, but many times if they are not in the situation they cannot. This is my opinion or suggestion.
I’d personally love a baby like that. I like variety in my dolls. I collect several types of dolls and I like them to be of various ethnicities. Even as a child I asked for a ‘brown doll’, even though me and everyone around me is a pale Caucasian.
A cute disabled/handicapped/- I’m not sure what the correct term would be- doll would be more than welcome in my collection!