Mattel Introduces Wheelchair Barbie

Earlier this month, Mattel began selling a Barbie doll with a wheelchair as part of its 2019 Barbie Fashionistas line in an effort to add diversity. The toy company collaborated with UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital on the design of the wheelchair. Barbie DreamHome will soon come with a ramp. A Barbie doll with a prosthetic leg will also be available for purchase. Jordan Reeves, a 13-year-old disability activist without her left forearm, worked with Mattel on both dolls with physical disabilities. For being a cultural icon for 60 years, Barbie received the Council of Fashion Designers of America's Board of Directors Tribute Award on Monday, June 3. To see photos of the newest Barbie dolls, go to https://abc13.com/society/new-barbie-dolls-to-have-wheelchairs-prosthetic-limbs/5322935/.

Wheelchair Barbie

(image via ttpm.com)

Spotlight: Ali Stroker

Ali Stroker made history last Sunday night when she became the first actress in a wheelchair to win a Tony Award. Stroker, who was backstage because she had just sung "I Cain't Say No" moments before, was presented with the Featured Actress in a Musical award for playing Annie Ado in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! She dedicated her win to children with disabilities. Stroker lost the use of her legs during a car accident at age two. She became the first actress in a wheelchair to perform on Broadway when she starred in the revival of Spring Awakening in 2015. After the Tony Awards, Stroker said all theater owners should ensure the backstage area is accessible for performers in wheelchairs. For more details on this story, go to
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48579977.

Ali Stroker

(image via nytimes.com)

Spotlight: Oceans of Hope Foundation

Oceans of Hope Foundation is a nonprofit that gives people with physical disabilities access to the beach through the use of specialized wheelchairs. Then, they get to ride the waves on the Atlantic Ocean with surf or body boards. This is a memorable experience for them. Oceans of Hope was WESH 2's Community Champion of the Week at the end of May. Its next event, the Veterans Surf Event, will take place at the Marianne Clancy Beachfront Park in New Smyrna Beach from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 16. The last event of Oceans of Hope's 2019 Surf Series is the Adaptive Surf Event on July 13. For more information (and to play a surfing video game), go to https://oceansofhopefoundation.org/.

Oceans of Hope Foundation logo

(image via oceansofhopefoundation.org)

Spotlight: Ivy Angst

Ivy Angst, age 11, is one of the three finalists on MasterChef Junior, a cooking competition for children between ages eight and 13. This is impressive because Ivy of Atlanta, Georgia, has achondroplasia (short-limbed dwarfism). With the slogan "Small is the new big," her height didn't stop her from avoiding elimination on MasterChef Junior, which started with 24 contestants. According to her website http://www.littlechefivy.com/, Ivy believes restaurants should include healthier items on kids' menus. She is competing against 12-year-old Che Spiotta of Boiceville, New York, and 11-year-old Malia Brauer of Santa Clarita, California, for $100,000 and a trophy as well as the title of MasterChef Junior. This summer, Ivy and her competitors will attend Camp MasterChef in California, but first, tune in to Fox at 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday to see if Ivy is the next MasterChef Junior!

Ivy Angst

(image via smore.com)