Disabled and chronically ill Barbie dolls that we want to exist

Autistic Barbie is the newest addition to Mattel’s growing collection of disabled dolls. We already have Wheelchair Barbie, Down’s Syndrome Barbie, Prosthetic Leg Barbie, Blind Barbie and Type 1 Diabetes Barbie. We went around The D*List office to imagine the disabled Barbie dolls we’d like to buy. Some of us took this task more seriously than others.

ADHD Barbie - Soph

This Barbie is creative, spontaneous and ambitious! They come with a whole lot of hobby accessories - a drawing tablet, paints, a half-finished embroidery, a handheld gaming console, a phone and a hockey stick. Try out all of ADHD Barbie's hobbies and see which ones stick. This Barbie is also an eclectic fashionista and is known for their colourful dopamine dressing.

Beach Barbie: Short Statured Swimming edition - Ella

This Barbie loves the moana and heading to the beach with family and friends. She has Achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism, so has short limbs and bowed legs. This doesn't stop her wearing a brightly coloured bikini to show off her Achon booty. Accessories include: a big hat for her slightly larger-than-average head, adaption tool to open the swimming pool gate and a step stool, as well as an adapted pool or beach lounger. 

POTS Barbie - Soph

This Barbie can bend her limbs to a seated position and comes with a water bottle, salt packets, compression tights and beta blockers. She loves spending time outdoors and going for walks - she just needs to take things slowly!

Barbie Tribute Collection: Judy Heumann - Olivia 

American disability rights activist Judy Heumann led the 504 Sit-in, a protest movement in 1977 across the US to enforce civil rights protection for disabled people. After the protests, the Section 504 regulations of the Rehabilitation Act was signed. Prior to the The Americans with Disabilities Act, this was the most important disability rights legislation in the US.  Although we’re still waiting for a similar disability rights law to be introduced in Aotearoa, at least the Judy Heumann Barbie doll could inspire the next generation of disabled young people. The Judy Heumann doll would come with her iconic power wheelchair and a red apple to symbolise her becoming the first wheelchair-user to teach in New York City.

Flaky Barbie - Joegen

This Barbie is unbothered, moisturised and flourishing! She features rashes on the back of her knees and inside of her elbows. She is also dressed in baggy clothes from head to toe to avoid the yucky fabric-on-generously-moisturised-skin feeling, including a shirt reading: "Yes, I've tried your alternative medicine. No, it didn't work." Her accessories include: a bottle of moisturiser, acrylic press-ons (because her actual nails are always kept short!) and a cute scrunchie to tie itchy hair out of her face/neck/body. She may not show up to your party if she needs some self-care time to manage a flare-up.

Barbie convertible car with a hoist - Olivia 

In hot Barbie pink — of course! — this mobility van has a moving lift at the rear entrance designed for your power wheelchair and all your friends. While the standard Barbie Convertible Vehicle might have cup holders, this new and improved car comes with a CCS mobility permit for your VIP parking. A bonus feature about this car is that it costs the same as any other car; you don’t need to apply for a Lottery grant or twist the arm of whoever is in charge of your funding!

‘Spastic CP’ Barbie - Red

Let’s be honest, what Barbie really needs is a CP claw - iykyk. With her claw, some crutches, a slick power chair, and an alternative communications device, CP Barbie will have all the accessories she needs for a hot spastic summer, where she’s constantly mistaken for being intoxicated.