The Barbie brand has included Barbie’s younger sister Chelsea, who has scoliosis, to increase their brand’s diversity.
This adds to their collection of Barbie dolls with vitiligo and hearing aids.
More than 100,000 children are diagnosed with scoliosis annually, according to the Division of Orthopedics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Scoliosis is an abnormal spinal curvature (backbone).
Dr. Luke Macyszyn, a Board Certified Neurosurgeon and specialist in children’s severe spinal problems, advised Barbie throughout the development of the Chelsea doll with Scoliosis to assure the doll’s realism.
“As a neurosurgeon specializing in severe spinal abnormalities, it was an honor to collaborate with Barbie on the creation of the Chelsea with scoliosis doll and to ensure that her shape and spinal alignment were accurate. This doll is a wonderful example of representation for young children and teenagers who have been diagnosed with scoliosis or who are wearing a back brace, and I look forward to seeing it on store shelves,” stated Dr. Luke Macyszyn, Board Certified Neurosurgeon and specialist.
Scoliosis is a disorder characterized by the lateral curvature of the spine, which is frequently identified in teenagers. The syndrome can manifest in patients with cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.
The Scoliosis doll is dressed in a pink outfit with a matching pink back brace, is wearing white shoes, and has long, wavy brown hair.
The Chelsea doll was designed to represent what youngsters perceive in their environment and to assist normalize back braces for children who may wear them. It was also created to encourage children without back braces to recognize the significance of inclusion.
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