Girl Urges American Girl to Make Dolls That Reflect Limb Differences

Jordan Reeves, who was born with one hand, loves American Girl dolls. Her mother is hoping the company will offer a doll for children with limb differences. (Photo: Jen Reeves/Change.org)

Jordan Reeves, age 10, has always loved dolls — but has never been able to play with a mainstream doll that looks like her. That’s because Jordan was born with only one hand. Her right arm is fully formed, but her left arm stops at the elbow.

Jordan’s mother, Jen Reeves, is working to get Jordan — and children like her — dolls that have limb differences. She recently started a change.org petition asking American Girl to offer a limb-difference doll.

“Ever since my daughter, Jordan, was 4 years old, she’s asked why her dolls don’t look like her,” Jen tells Yahoo Health. “Walk through the aisles of toy stores, you won’t find a doll with limb differences. And she isn’t alone. I’m raising my daughter to celebrate her difference. It’s hard to convince her when she’s surrounded by toys and media that say otherwise.”

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The petition was inspired by American Girl’s new diabetes care kit, released on Jan. 1. More than 4,000 people signed a petition asking the company to offer a diabetes care kit. The accessory includes an insulin pump, insulin pen, and blood sugar monitor.

More than 2,000 babies are born with limb differences each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Kids born with limb difference come in many shapes and sizes, but please consider an up-sell option so more kids can really connect with your beautiful dolls,” Jen’s petition states. “Children with and without limb difference deserve to see mass produced dolls with differences. This option would take limb differences into the mainstream. It would confirm what we already know: A limb difference is worth celebrating!”

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