Mattel Releases First Ever Doll With Scoliosis

Mattel has released their first ever doll with scoliosis. The new Chelsea doll is Barbie’s little sister and features a curved spine and removable back brace.

Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel, said: “We believe in the power of representation and are committed to creating dolls in a variety of looks so that kids can see themselves in Barbie – and now in a line celebrating Barbie’s little sister, Chelsea.

We’re proud to launch the first-ever Chelsea doll with a removable back brace to continue to be more reflective of the world kids see around them.

Our Chelsea line provides infinitely more ways to spark storytelling, all while providing kids with a way to develop their empathy and social processing skills through doll play.”

Mattel says they worked closely with neurosurgeon and specialist in children’s complex spinal disorders, Dr Luke Macyszyn who advised the designers throughout the doll’s development.

In a time where it’s so important for kids to be represented as widely as possible this move by Mattel is a huge deal. The new Chelsea stands six inches tall and wears a pink dress with a removable green back brace and white shoes.

(Scoliosis is characterised by the abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine. Symptoms include a visibly curved spine, one shoulder being higher than the other or one shoulder or hip being more prominent than the other, a prominent ribcage and a difference in leg lengths.)

In the past Mattel has developed a variety of inclusive dolls including some with different skin tones, hair styles, eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, disabilities, and fashions.

In 2016 it added a Barbie wearing a hijab  based on Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first American Olympic athlete to wear a hijab during a competition. Then in 2019, Mattel released the Creatable World line that included the world’s first gender-neutral dolls. The dolls came with multiple wardrobe options, accessories and wigs allowing children to create any character they want.

Images: Mattel