The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Good to see wheelchair users getting recognition from Lego
SIR, I am absolutely delighted that Lego, one of the word’s top brand names in children’s toys has finally produced a product depicting a young person with a disability. The figure is of a young wheelchair user wearing a beanie cap. The mini figure can be found in the City theme range 60134 Fun in The Park.
Lego the building bricks of childhood since 1932 was named toy of the century twice, receiving its second accolade from Forbes magazine in 1999. The Lego group produce an astonishing 19 billion elements every year.
The online campaign #toylikeme highlights the need to produce toys representing all children equally.
This group and others like them came to my attention early last year when I decided to raise funds for the paediatric department of the National Rehabilitation Hospital Dun Laoghaire, which caters for brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, neurological disorders or limb absence.
It shocked me that toys representing them are extremely difficult to come by. It is vital that all children have toys they can identify with.
It was great to finally get my hands on this Lego set and I look forward to purchasing a number of them for the hospital.
Hopefully more toys makers will take up the challenge. Please support the online campaign #toylikeme.
Sincerely, Tom Doherty, Killarney.