VIRGINIA, USA — We are getting uplifted with inclusion and diversity this holiday season when it comes to kids with disabilities and special needs.
For the past seven years, students, faculty and staff at Roanoke College in Virginia have modified toys to better reflect all children during the holiday season. The nonprofit Toy Like Me reflects kids with differing abilities and special medical needs and issues. For kids in the hospital, children are given the toys before medical procedures.
"When the kids are smiling and laughing and their parents haven't seen them smiling for so long, or they're coming out of surgery and they're in pain, this little smile comes out. It means so much to the moms and dads too," said Frances McCutcheon, a Roanoke College professor.
The overall idea is for the toy to look like the child who gets it, like toys with things like hearing aids, insulin pumps and feeding tubes.
The college students make time during their colleges exam week before Christmas to get the toys to the kids in time for Christmas Day, just like all the other good boys and girls.
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