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Two-year-old Lula-Belle Butler-Wenlock-Simpson, right, who was born with heart problems and underwent open-heart surgery, poses with a Special Friends doll whose scar mirrors her own.

‘Special Friends’ dolls reflect the lives of children with special needs

Education

When Victoria Band’s son was diagnosed with hearing loss, she wished she could give him a doll with hearing aids to reflect his disability. Last year, she started her own line of dolls with scars, cleft lips, hearing aids and oxygen tanks.

A posed Barbie doll.

American Icons: Barbie

American Icons
A 'Becky' barbie doll on display at an exhibition in Madrid, Spain.

Becky, Barbie’s friend who uses a wheelchair, was discontinued.

Culture

Barbie Berlin Dreamhouse draws protests, hand-wringing over opening

Global Politics
The World

Prehistoric Pets

The World

American Icons: Barbie

Arts, Culture & Media

How did the Barbie doll become such a powerful symbol and ubiquitous toy? For our ongoing series on American Icons, we look at how Barbie started, how she endured, and what her future may hold.