As humans, we come in all shapes and sizes. Some of us have brown hair, some of us have blue eyes, and some of us have even more outstanding features that set us apart. That is exactly what Amy Jandrisevits saw when she decided to create “A Doll Like Me” for children with disabilities. The impact she is making on children around the world is outstanding.

Amy used to be a social worker in a pediatric oncology department before she came up with the idea of specialized dolls. She did play therapy with her patients using dolls at her former job, but she realized that the dolls were nothing like the children she was working with.

The dolls were in perfect health, and that was not at all like the children she was taking care of. That’s when she came up with a Raggedy Ann type doll, only with a twist.

Her goal was to make sure children could see their own beauty by seeing it in a doll that looked like them. She says it is hard for children to identify themselves as beautiful when they don’t look like anyone around them, not even their toys.

So for the past four years, Amy has been making dolls for kids with special features and they’ve become so popular that there is a waiting list of kids waiting to get their doll. She has made approximately 300 dolls since she started and they cost about $100 to make. Yet, the look on the faces of the kids that receive them is priceless in Amy’s eyes.

Amy started a GoFundMe account to help cover the costs of materials and shipping because not all families can afford to pay for the doll themselves. So far, she has raised $23,000 of her $25,000 goals, so it would appear that people love her idea.

Her goal is to eventually be able to make the dolls without anyone having to pay for them. She says they are essential for a child’s well-being because they make a child feel comfortable when a doll looks just like them.

Each doll Amy makes is made with a child in mind. They come in different ethnicities, differences in their limbs, body markings, and other types of health issues too. She says she’s willing to try about anything if it is something she can do.

GoFundMe was even so impressed with her cause that they named her Hero of December for her labor of love. Although it was an honor, Amy says the real reward is seeing the faces of the children. After all, a picture can say a thousand words.

What an amazing woman and fantastic project! Be sure to share Amy’s story with your family and friends to help get her the support that she needs to help these children.