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Killarney man welcomes Lego’s inclusive approach

K
KILLARNEY man Tom Doherty has welcomed Lego’s introduction of a product depicting a young wheelchair user.
Tom, who is PRO of the Killarney/South Kerry branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Lego, one of the world's top brand names in children's toys, has finally produced a product depicting a young person with a disability.”
The figure in question 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,” said Tom. “Lego, the building bricks of childhood since 1932, was named toy of the century twice, receiving its second accolade by 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,” said tom.
“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. I look forward to purchasing a number of the toys for the hospital. Hopefully more toys make will take up the challenge. Please support the online campaign #toylikeme.”
Above: Tom Doherty with the new Lego set.
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