An Irish toy brand has created a new Down’s syndrome doll inspired by a six-year-old girl to mark World Down Syndrome Day.
Lottie Dolls has released a doll, called Rosie Boo, designed to resemble six-year-old Rosie Barnett, from Wiltshire, who has Down’s syndrome.
The toy company’s co-founder Ian Harkin decided to create the Rosie Boo doll after Rosie’s parents made headlines with a full-sized version of the Lottie Doll treehouse in their garden last year.
Lottie Dolls has released a doll, called Rosie Boo, designed to resemble six-year-old Rosie Barnett (pictured with Rosie Boo doll), from Wiltshire, who has Down’s syndrome
The new doll’s release came ahead of World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) on March 21, which was picked to show the unique nature of the triplication of the 21st chromosome that causes Down’s syndrome.
Rosie’s father Jason Kneen, from Faberstown, said he was ‘thrilled’ that his family could help to raise awareness about Down’s syndrome.
He continued: ‘We’re thrilled, at this time of year especially, that we can raise awareness for Down’s syndrome and educate children on the differences that Down’s syndrome comes with, and what makes these kids special.
‘The nice thing about Lottie is that they’re very diverse and inclusive in terms of how they approach the design of the dolls.’
The doll, which costs £22.99, is available to pre-order on Lottie Dolls’ website while £1 from each sale of the doll will go towards Down’s syndrome charity Andover Twenty1
Rosie’s father Jason Kneen, from Faberstown, said he was ‘thrilled’ that his family could help to raise awareness about Down’s syndrome (pictured: Rosie with her new Lottie Dolls toy)
The doll, which costs £22.99, is available to pre-order on Lottie Dolls’ website while £1 from each sale of the doll will go towards Down’s syndrome charity Andover Twenty1.
Taking to Twitter, Lottie Dolls said: ‘Rosie Boo Lottie Doll now available for Pre-Order!
‘We will be donating £1 from the sale of each doll to Rosie’s local Down’s Syndrome charity And Over Twenty’
The Rosie Boo doll features odd socks, a symbol worn to celebrate WDSD, and supportive boots to help with walking.
Jason added: ‘We have learnt how playing with toys with differences helps develop empathy in kids before culture determines how we should react to differences.
‘To me, that’s one of the most powerful things we’ve discovered about doll play, the positive impact that can empower kids but also potentially to help reduce bullying by normalising differences.
‘It’s incredibly powerful for kids to be able to see a doll in their likeness but equally it’s important that all kids have a diverse toy box.’
The Rosie Boo doll (pictured) features odd socks, a symbol worn to celebrate WDSD, and supportive boots to help with walking
Last summer, Rosie’s father Jason hit headlines after building a 8ft (2.4m) by 6ft (1.8m) lifesize Lottie Dolls treehouse in his garden during lockdown for Rosie
According to Lottie Dolls’ website, the brand creates dolls based on the ‘average proportions of a nine-year-old child rather than those of an adult’ and try to celebrate diversity and inclusion as a company.
Among their creations, Lottie Dolls have made a doll who wears a bright-pink cochlear implant and an astronaut doll inspired by a child, eight, with autism and ADHD.
Jason continued: ‘It’s really important that they [Lottie Dolls] have done different disabilities, different body types, and this is a great opportunity, with the extra information that has gone into the pack as well.’
Last summer, Jason hit headlines after building a 8ft (2.4m) by 6ft (1.8m) children’s playhouse in his garden during lockdown for Rosie.
The accommodation is modelled on a Lottie Doll Treehouse, one of Rosie’s favourite toys, and cost around £3,500 to complete.
It boasts a balcony, slide, ladder, trapdoor and internet access, while toilet facilities are located in a nearby replica Tardis, from Doctor Who.