topic Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released in Community Chat

Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

Happy2BHere — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 16:10:31 GMT

I bet there are some kids diagnosed with diabetes who would love one of these Barbies!

"Mattel has introduced a new Barbie that may connect with the approximately 304,000 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

The Barbie has a continuous glucose monitor on her arm, an insulin pump and wears a blue polka dot shirt and dress, the color of diabetes awareness.

Her design “enables more children to see themselves reflected in Barbie and encourages doll play that extends beyond a child’s own lived experience, thereby fostering a greater sense of inclusion and empathy – all pillars of the Barbie brand’s mission," Mattel said in a news release."

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

Laura14 — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 16:12:40 GMT

I love when they do this. It was so hard to find a doll that looked like me as a litle girl. I ended up with the African American dolls which looked like me with a tan, but I had my brown hair and brown eyes.

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

Trinity11 — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 16:16:37 GMT

@Happy2BHere wrote:
I bet there are some kids diagnosed with diabetes who would love one of these Barbies!

"Mattel has introduced a new Barbie that may connect with the approximately 304,000 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

The Barbie has a continuous glucose monitor on her arm, an insulin pump and wears a blue polka dot shirt and dress, the color of diabetes awareness.

Her design “enables more children to see themselves reflected in Barbie and encourages doll play that extends beyond a child’s own lived experience, thereby fostering a greater sense of inclusion and empathy – all pillars of the Barbie brand’s mission," Mattel said in a news release."

Unfortunately, scalpers are all over the internet selling them for a ridiculous profit. I was 17 when diagnosed but I am sure I would have loved to have one. Now we need the cure I have been waiting for 54 years...

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

Happy2BHere — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 18:31:32 GMT

@Trinity11 Oh I hate to hear about scalpers raising the prices! Boo to them!

I wish there was a way to vet who receives these special editions, but do understand it would be impossible to enforce. It's sad.

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

We rescue cats — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 19:23:50 GMT

I hope that those inflating the costs never have a child that suffers with this disease, drying to get one of these dolls.

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

Goldengate8361 — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:08:11 GMT

I like how they've made Barbie contemporary and much more inclusive than when I was a kid. I kinda love this! Having type 1 diabetes as a child must be incredibly difficult....in many ways.

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

UpNorthGorgy — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:16:27 GMT

I went to High School with a girl that had it. The Cafeteria gave her a snack after school so she could continue to participate in after school activities. She was a straight A student. 1970

I thought it was so cute to see the excitement of the little girl in the TV announcement to see her Doll.

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

icezeus — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 23:04:25 GMT

My nieces best friend from college, 6 year old daughter was just diagnosed with this.

Also, my mother was diagnosed at the age of 4 with juvenile diabetes.

They can't find the dolls, from reading this thread I am guessing the scalpers have purchased them. Horrible.....

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

Sapphiregal — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 16:36:15 GMT

Just ridiculous!

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

ciao_bella — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 16:43:03 GMT

@Trinity11 Same as my daughter. She was diagnosed at 17 and just turned 49 years old on July 9th. Waiting for that cure too!

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

ID2 — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 09:48:31 GMT

I always thought that playing with dolls lets a child live in a world of make believe, at least for the time they are playing. I just would never have wanted a diabetiic Barbie. Sure, I was diagnosed at 24, but I would never want it. Just another way of exploiting a terrible disease for money in their pocket. Boo.

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

Spurt — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 16:06:38 GMT

@ID2 wrote:
I always thought that playing with dolls lets a child live in a world of make believe, at least for the time they are playing. I just would never have wanted a diabetiic Barbie. Sure, I was diagnosed at 24, but I would never want it. Just another way of exploiting a terrible disease for money in their pocket. Boo.

@ID2

ITA with you, it's like kids can't have any fun anymore and learn to use their creativity and imagination by playing make believe. Do they really need a doll to remind them of their diabetes, can't they have a little time to just enjoy themselves!!!???..Kids are growing up way too fast these days, society is making them face hard realities 24/7 and grow up way too soon, BUT not allowing them to have time to just enjoy themselves, which can impact them mentally as adults.

The Disney Princesses are so popular with young girls because it allows them to enter a world of make believe and escape temporarily from a cold cruel world, and as I said, learn to use their imagination and creativity which is part of the tools of adulthood ..Now the kids realize they'll never actually be a Princess, but they enjoy just pretending.

There's enough time for kids to face the cold cruel world of REALITY, they need a time to experience CHILDHOOD and fantasy, which helps them to grow to a mentally stable adult.....

This is scientifically proven...Engaging in childhood fantasy, particularly through imaginative or pretend play, can contribute to the development of skills that are beneficial for becoming a mentally stable adult.

Emotional Regulation: Fantasy play provides a safe space for children to explore and express a wide range of emotions, including fear, anger, and sadness. By acting out different scenarios and roles, they learn to understand, process, and regulate their feelings, laying the groundwork for emotional intelligence and resilience in adulthood. Studies have shown that children who engage in more frequent pretend play tend to have better emotion regulation skills.
Problem-Solving Skills: In imaginative scenarios, children encounter challenges and situations that require them to think creatively and come up with solutions. This strengthens their problem-solving abilities and flexible thinking, skills that are valuable in navigating real-life difficulties.
Social and Empathy Skills: Pretend play, especially with others (sociodramatic play), helps children develop social skills like cooperation, negotiation, and communication. Taking on different roles allows them to step into others' shoes, fostering empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives.
Self-Esteem and Confidence: Successfully navigating imaginary scenarios and creating their own worlds can boost a child's confidence and self-esteem. This sense of accomplishment and mastery can translate into a stronger self-image and belief in their abilities as they grow older.

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

Jacie — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 19:54:59 GMT

Wow, shaking my head.

Trying to further manipulate the world of make believe? Can we just let kids be kids for awhile? Being a grown up lasts a LONG time and they grow up so fast.

Either that, or we will need a Barbie for every chronic condition.

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 20:09:08 GMT

What's next? Is Mattel going to create a Barbie with every possible illness or condition under the banner of inclusion? What's OK and what's not? And if one kind of doll is deemed not ok, you can bet so someone will cry discrimination. I mean, just let your mind wander a bit and it turns into the ridiculous.

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

Trinity11 — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 20:46:54 GMT

@Jacie wrote:
Wow, shaking my head.

Trying to further manipulate the world of make believe? Can we just let kids be kids for awhile? Being a grown up lasts a LONG time and they grow up so fast.

Either that, or we will need a Barbie for every chronic condition.

Make-believe does not trump reality @Jacie . There is nothing harder than a small child being thrust into the world of diabetes. Constant blood checks, hypoglycemic reactions to insulin, getting up in the night to an alarm sweating and sick to your stomach...all these things children deal with on a 24 hour basis. Then, the feeling of being the only one surrounded by kids that can eat what they want without injections all day, a doll with the same condition can be soothing. I taught children how to inject insulin many years go. I saw up front and personal, what it felt like. A doll could help a child to feel less isolated dealing with a horrible disease that unless you've lived it some can't possibly understand why these dolls are priceless...

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

Jacie — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 07:42:40 GMT

@Trinity11 well,as I child I lived through my own chronic illness, I no more would have wanted a doll with the same thing. I just wanted to be a kid. To each his own, but thanks for the lecture.

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

songbird — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 11:57:20 GMT

Interesting that Matel did not release the far more common Type 2 Diabetes. You know that disease that every other person has someone with it in their family.

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

manny2 — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:44:22 GMT

It’s not only valuable for the child that has been diagnosed but also helps other children understand what it is.

Knowledge is power and helps develop empathy.

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

bikerbabe — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:06:45 GMT

Very weird that anyone would take offense to this.

Re: Type 1 Diabetes Barbie Released

willomenia — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:02:40 GMT

the most ridiculous thing ever!