Winnie Mak’s dolls with disabilities help kids with disabilities see themselves

London based mom Winnie Mak has created a line of inclusive dolls. Founder of ‘One Dear World’, Winnie’s dolls come in different colours and have disabilities including Down syndrome, autism and ADHD. One of them has a visual impairment too. Through her latest initiative, Winnie hopes to create an inclusive world by catching kids at a young age.

Dolls are an inevitable part of everyone’s childhood, and every person has a favourite doll too. So how about having a doll with Down syndrome or autism to play with? It is indeed a great idea and it first popped up in London-based Winnie Mak’s mind a few months ago. Founder of One Dear World, Winnie has been making inclusive dolls with colours portraying different races since past couple of years. Her latest line of dolls comes with disabilities, and Winnie has been receiving a lot of applause for this.

It was a few months back when a mother, who has a child with Down syndrome, messaged Winnie about her longing to see a doll like her child. Upon thinking about this, Winnie did not have to look further and decided to try it out. Soon after, she started receiving requests to make them. With a lot of support from her husband and son, this mom did not have to look further. Winnie’s dolls are an international hit now.

Children must have dolls that represent them and dolls that are different from them too. That way, they can become friends with everyone regardless of race, gender and disability. I believe children should have dolls that reflect the diversity of the world-Winnie Mak, Founder, One Dear World.

Winnie’s dolls come from across the world with different disabilities and colours too. Daniel from London has Down syndrome, Claire from Dublin has anxiety, Fei from Chengdu is visually impaired and Will from New York has autism and ADHD. Each doll has a booklet along with it when you purchase them in which the child can know more about their favourite doll’s likes and dislikes, and that way getting to know closer about disabilities too.

Upon purchase of the doll, half of the money goes to charity. Winnie has tied up with various NGO’s that empower people with disabilities to whom she gives the income from sales of her dolls. “So proud of Winnie Mak @OneDearWorld for getting her diverse range of rag dolls”, tweeted Karen Stenning.

Also Read: Barbie goes inclusive, launches line of dolls with disabilities