João Stanganelli, Jr.’s dolls are getting major props on social media—and for a very good reason. The grandpa from Brazil crochets inclusive dolls, including toys with vitiligo, cochlear implants and so much more.
So how did this grandfather get into the crocheted doll business? Stanganelli’s first crocheted project was a vitiligo doll for his granddaughter. The grandpa has had the skin condition, which results in the loss of pigment since he was in his 30’s. Wanting to give his granddaughter something to remember him by, Stanganelli crafted a doll with vitiligo patches.
The 64-year-old is semi-retired from the gastronomy industry and told Bored Panda, “I’m not yet retired, I still keep up my old work with food, but much less intensely. At the moment I spend 90% of my time with the dolls. I have many orders.”
He told Bored Panda, “My view of vitiligo seems to me to be very different from the general, I think it is necessary first that you have vitiligo, after this acceptance you choose what you want to do.” Stanganelli continued, “I still quote Benjamin Disraeli: ‘Life is too short to be small.’”
Along with vitiligo dolls, Stanganelli has also branched into other inclusive options. Not only are these dolls awesomely adorable, but they can help children understand, value and normalize the conditions Stanganelli crochets.
To see more of Stanganelli’s work, visit his Instagram or Facebook pages.
—Erica Loop
Featured photo: João Stanganelli, Jr’s via Instagram
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