Testimonials

 

‘ToyLikeMe has changed my view of what inclusion should look like. Inspirational, aspirational, normal.’ – Twitter comment

 

‘My son loved all the dolls and recognised that some had a cochlear implant the same as him. This made me feel proud.’ – Parent visiting ToyLikeMe at Norfolk Disability Pride

 

‘My daughter is struggling with being ‘different’. To see her so happy and comfortable at the ToyLikeMe event made me so proud of her and how even though she is judged by people she does not do that to others.’ – Parent visiting Norfolk Deaf Festival

 

‘You amazed me how you have done the Toylikeme project with the dolls and the white cane etc showing disabled and deaf children that they are not on their own.’ – Deafblind Adult

 

‘The ToyLikeMe activities made me feel that my kids are valued and included.’ – Parent

 

‘I loved seeing deaf toys and all the deaf role models. They help my deaf children embrace their deaf identity.’ – Parent

 

‘I felt happy that my little boy can see what is possible.’ – Parent

 

‘My sister is disabled and these toys are nice and make me feel happy. She would like them.’ – Sibling

 

‘ToyLikeMe activities make me feel happy, comfortable and proud because my daughter is with people like her here.’ – Parent

 

‘I loved the exhibition of jobs. It opens eyes for children. It made me feel really happy so much thought is going into inclusivity. Keep going, great work.’ – Visitor

 

‘This is the first time I have thought about buying a toy with a disability for a non-disabled child. It opened my eyes.’ – Visitor

 

‘I liked seeing that people who are deaf can do the same things as people who aren’t deaf.’ – Hearing child

 

‘I felt very happy. I forgot about my hearing aids because I was so into stuff.’ – Deaf child

 

‘My four year old played happily with the toys. Lovely that children can play and explore so when they meet people it’s not a shock to them, but all OK.’ – Parent

 

‘The event made me feel like my child is not alone. At school she is the only one.’ – Parent

 

‘When I grow up I can do a job I enjoy everyday.’ – Deaf child

 

‘I left your event feeling positive & that being deaf is okay. There are so many negative things about disability but spending time on your stand makes me feel positive.’ – Visitor

 

‘I love what you’re doing because I wear a leg splint and when I was little, I really wanted one of my toys to have one, but what I especially love is that I know what a cochlear implant is through this page! I met someone with one not that long ago, and having that awareness of what it was, through seeing pictures of toys with cochlear implants, made a big difference to how I reacted to it/the person. Thank you!’ – Face book comment

 

‘You’ve really made my day by sending me this Lottie Doll with facial scaring. As a young child growing up with facial and body scarring I became used to having dolls that reflected the little girls around me. I longed for a doll that looked like me, a little girl in a book that had something ‘different’ about them, or a main character in a film that I could identify myself with and proudly say “I look like them.’ – Young person with facial scaring

‘I thought it was really informative for the children to understand that they can do anything they want. I know it really made an impact on one particular child who travelled a distance to be there and her family too.’ – Teacher vising See it Be it Exhibition

 

‘I am amazed by your latest campaign to raise awareness of adult opportunities for deaf children, something that strikes a cord as I have a recently diagnosed and aided 4 year old. We live in the bubble where our son is the only child who wears hearing aids at preschool and we don’t know any people who are deaf. This lack of exposure in seeing positive role models he can relate to is something I am extremely concerned about and wondered if you sold the book you made? Many thanks for this and for raising awareness – you people are amazing!’ – Facebook Comment

 

‘The Toy Box Tales exhibition is very thought provoking and did bring in a sense of awareness of both kids and parents. Congratulations to your whole team for arranging wonderful activities.’– Parent

 

‘The Toy Box Tales exhibition was really inspiring and got both my girls asking questions and seeing things differently!’ – Parent

 

‘My daughter was bought the Lottie Doll Mia for Christmas and absolutely loves her. My daughter like Mia has cochlear implants. This little doll represents so much more than just a toy… it’s her identity.’ – Parent

 

‘My 3 year old daughter is deaf and wears hearing aids. Because we live in a fairly small community with limited access to other deaf children or people it was though that this doll would help her identify with someone. I can tell you the 1st time I found her in her room sitting with that doll and talking to her about their matching magic ears I had to lock myself in the bathroom and have a total cry fest. For her to have that one small thing to identify with,totally melted me heart!! I will also say that I think it’s important for all kids to have toys set that show such a variety of abilities etc. It normalizes these things n such a natural way. Keep up the good work!’ – Parent

 

‘Hannah, 6, is loving her doll. “ It’s a doll just like me!” she squealed in excitement.’ – Parent

 

‘Sam has been taking hearing aid off the toy at night and putting them in the dryer with his own equipment, then he gets them out in the morning – all part of his routine now!’ – Parent

 

‘Sophie’s monkey has been everywhere with her, she takes great pride in showing every one that her monkey has cochlear implants just like hers.’ – Parent

 

‘Thank you for the dolls. If I look at them they make me smile.’ – Deaf Child

 

‘Thank you for the beautiful dolls. I like playing with them and they look like me.’ – Deaf Child