Mattel has introduced its first Barbie doll with representing someone with Type 1 diabetes. The doll, part of the Fashionistas line, includes realistic medical accessories like a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump — as well as an outfit that pays homage to diabetes awareness.
This new doll “enables more children to see themselves reflected in Barbie,” Mattel wrote
As a girl who grew up with type 1 diabetes, seeing these tasteless jokes in here just remind me of the shitty time kids can have when they feel different to other kids and get singled out for something they can't control.
So what if its a gigantic mega-corp, they're doing a good thing here for children.
I'm glad this Barbie exists. Representation matters, and this toy is one way to show little kids it's ok to have T1D. If a kid knows that Barbie can wear CGM then maybe the kid won't be a jerk when they meet a new kid with a thing on their arm.
Made to feel different is a subtle way to say that she was marginalised. We are talking about school, so probably a gentle way to say she was bullied for it.
Also, she did mention getting singled out. I am pretty pedantic myself but dude, this is not the moment.
In school? Just marginalised can mean kids not wanting to be your friends, having difficulties forming groups for activities... All sorts of stuff that make your life harder. The word comes from the literal sense of being put to the margin, to the side, outside of the general circle.
It can easily devolve into being bullied aka made fun of for being different, kids using hurtful aliases to call you, hit you, abuse you...
Depends on where you live and all that but being singled out/marginalised can easily leave you in a position where bullies will pick on you and since you are alone, no one will defend you.