I recently had the blessing of meeting a mother online named Beth Scott. Beth has a little girl named Amelia Grace who will be 11 years old on August 16th, 2017. Amelia has Down’s Syndrome and since she was 6 years old has had a dream of having an American Girl Doll that reflects her; a doll with Down’s Syndrome.
Beth has worked tirelessly to try and convince the Mattel Toy Company to create a line of dolls, not just for her daughter, but so that all children with Down’s Syndrome could have one. Mattel has refused her constant and humble requests.
As of today, 7/30/2017, Beth has collected 12,000 signatures, but she still needs more help. The Huggabear Children’s Project, Inc. is behind her and supports her cause 100%! If you would please click on the link below, sign her petition and share it on any form of social media that you are connected with, we would all be so grateful!
Below is a letter that I am sending to the Mattel Corporation. If you would like to send in a USPS letter for this cause, you can find the mailing information here.
Thank you so much for your support to help these children know they are special, loved and important!
UPDATE! As of 6/2019 Beth has collected over 31,000 signatures!
To sign Beth’s petition and share it, please click here. July 30, 2017
Dear Mattel Corporation,
Please allow me to introduce myself, my name is Angelique La Fon-Cox and I am the founder and director of The Huggabear Children’s Project, Inc. 501c3 nonprofit organization that serves to protect and assist children internationally who are in need or battling illnesses.
I am writing to you today on behalf of Amelia Grace Scott, a little girl who lives in Madison Heights, Michigan and will be turning 11 this August 16th, Amelia has Down’s Syndrome and it has been her wish since she was six years old to be able to have an American Girl Doll that looks like her; a doll with Down’s Syndrome. As I am sure you are aware, her mother, Beth Scott has been tirelessly working to get a petition signed to present Mattel to hopefully inspire the creation of a line of dolls that little girls and boys all over America who have this condition could embrace. As of today, Beth has collected 12,000 signatures and is still pressing on with her efforts. She is a wonderful mother who adores her little girl and wants to see her dream come true.
As a person who is blessed to give to children on a regular basis, especially those who are underprivileged, I know the true joy of seeing a child receive a toy they have dreamed of calling their own. As you know, the innocence and imagination that children have during their younger years is something that should be treasured and embraced. There are over 6,000 children per year that are born in the U.S. with Down’s Syndrome and the health issues they battle are a daily struggle for many throughout their entire lives. Wouldn’t you want to do something that could bring them a bit of joy to help them through those struggles?
I humbly ask you, please do not put your focus strictly upon profits gained or lost as your decision to create a line of dolls that reflect Down’s Syndrome. There really shouldn’t be any reason at all why it cannot be done. Where there is a will, there is a way. Please look at the hearts of these sweet and deserving children who you are passing over, denying them the opportunity to have their dream fulfilled of a doll that reflects who they are. Please look at their dreams and their desires and understand that they are just as precious and deserving as any other child and let them have a doll they can embrace and relate to as well.
Right now, those who have heard this story have responded that they see the Mattel Corporation as being cold, uncaring and only interested in seeking monetary means. Please, shift your focus and rethink this choice. Please open your hearts to these children and families and show the world that Mattel is a company of caring and compassion for all children. That the Mattel toys you create are not just to increase your profit margins but to bring pure joy, love, and memories that can last a lifetime for all the children who will grow up playing with them.
Mattel could be the leader for all the toy companies and set an example of placing children’s dreams coming true as their top priority. It would make for a great advertising campaign! After all, isn’t that what your work is all about; to provide children with toys which will nurture their happiness and inspire their imaginations? You did this with your Barbie dolls, creating dolls of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicity that all girls could love and identify with and it has been very successful. Why not do this now with the American Girl and Boy Dolls as well?
I have always heard it taught that exclusion is a form of bullying. In a time when bullying is an epidemic plaguing our nation, I’m sure that is not something you want your corporation to be associated with, I’m sure you want Mattel and the American Girl Doll Corporation to be known as companies of inclusion for all children. These beautiful children need to know that they are special and important too.
Our hope is that you will please reconsider this matter. Please let Mattel be a toy company that is a champion for all children with a giving and compassionate heart. Let the world see you create a beautiful line of American Girl and Boy Dolls that celebrate children with Down’s Syndrome and other handicaps and help make their cherished dreams come true. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Most Sincerely,
Angelique La Fon-Cox
Founder/Director
The Huggabear Children’s Project, Inc.
www.huggabears.org
Angelique La Fon-Cox 