While we are excited and running around with the fact that Lea comes out in roughly 10 days, I wanted to share something with you. My story.
Most people were disappointed with the fact that Lea was only 1/8th Brazillian. But I was disappointed with the fact that Lea has no disability. No AG doll, period, has a disability. (Well, except Maryellen, but she doesn’t have polio anymore, so she doesn’t count) I’ll show you how hard life is for me- I have two disabilities.
I have hinted that I have Type 1 Diabetes (and I do), but I have never shared this publicly on any type of social media before- I have autism (Asperger’s, to be exact). Ever since I could remember, I had it. When most kids my age were speaking 3 word sentences, I wasn’t speaking at all! I used to live in Long Island, New York, so, my parents were talking about moving after 9/11. When my parents found out that the best preschool for autistic kids was in the area, they delayed the move until I graduated. I was the best student, and sure enough, by the time I graduated, nobody could even tell that I had it unless I had a tantrum nearby (and I still do have tantrums like that, even though I’m almost 11.) In June 2010, we moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. In October 2013, I became a AG fan. 2014 was the best year of my life so far. But fast-forward to 2015.
I had a hard year in fourth grade. People started teasing me for liking dolls, and I had only one friend. Well, 22, if you count the 20 dolls I had at the time and my dog. My school didn’t know how to handle autism, so after my parents brought it to the superintendent’s attention, they said I would go to another school for fifth grade. I was nervous at first, but I grew even more nervous on July 22, 2015. The day I got diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. The day before, when I went to my wellness center for my IV, the nurse said that I looked pale and took a blood test. At 6:00 PM on July 22, 2015, the nurse called my mom and told her to get me to the ER. My blood sugar was 64o. They took my blood again at the ER and sure enough, it was 550, I was diagnosed right away. I’d have to get shots before I ate. It seemed scary at first, but I got used to it. I had a month of summer left before school started. And when school started, I made a new friend. That one new friend led to another new friend, than another, than another. Despite my differences, today I am the most popular girl in my new school. I’m even friends with the boys!
But now, I realized something. If a lot of people ask for something from AG, they get it. Everyone wanted a Jewish doll, they got Rebecca. Everyone wanted a doll from the 50’s (most requested time period of all time!), they got Maryellen. But it takes tons of time. While you guys are at it, sign this new petition I made to tell American Girl that we want a doll with a disability. Type 1 diabetes and autism would be cool, but not a lot of girls have two disabilities. But one of the two would make me happy. Even one I don’t have would be awesome!
From,
Sydney