Share A Smile Becky Was Discontinued Two Years Ago
Readers, I have just found out, with a good amount of sadness, that Share A Smile Becky, Barbie’s wheelchair using friend, was discontinued two years ago by manufacturers Mattel.
Why? Because she couldn’t fit into Barbie’s dream home.
They tried to modify Becky, but when that wasn’t enough, instead of modifying her plastic environment to fit a wheelchair, they soon gave up and discontinued the doll altogether.
I wrote here in 2008 about my Share A Smile Becky, why I loved her and why dolls with disabilities are important toys for all girls, and boys, to play with.
Goodbye, Share A Smile Becky, from a girl who thought you were a big piece of progress while you lasted. I, for one, was pleased and proud to play with you.
May Barbie make another friend in a wheelchair in the very near future, and may she be able to fit through Barbie’s front door.
Updated 30/5/13: More of my thoughts on disabled toys here.
Same Difference 
I’ve heard that Share a Smile Becky was actually the only Barbie that could be stood up — which makes her fake disabled, a benefit scrounging Barbie, so she had to go.
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