Unboxing Vision Loss Barbie Fashionista 228

Click this link to subscribe ☺️ / @millydollydame
I was surprised to find her in Smyths because she hadn't appeared on their website yet. Lucky!
In the video I didcuss what the colour codes mean on different canes for the visually impaired.
I also put Barbie Fashionista 228 in a dress I made especially for her using a pattern created by @borinamoo. Her tutorials are very handy too.
‪@borinamoo5329‬
Here is the link to the dress pattern:
m.blog.naver.c...
Here is the link to the pattern overview:
m.blog.naver.c...
The music at the end was created using AI.

[@seamarie3111]

Really glad to see you did a little cane research and threw that in there, very neat! Here in the US, I think the red on the cane has a bit less meaning, it's the white that's most important here. We still have the red tips, of course, if they come from certain manufacturers, like Ambutech who's based out of Canada. There's also canes designed/made by the National Federation of the Blind, (NFB), a different organization than the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). I know, that can get confusing for the uninitiated. Anyway, NFB canes are solid white down to the tip, with maybe some variance in handle color. Personally, I favor the cane like the Barbie holds, though with a different tip, a half-ball shape made of ceramic. I smiled when you mentioned how some of us color customize our canes, as I've just recently gotten into that the last year or so. My current cane is standard white, but with a dark blue end section and lighter blue handle. To add to what you've informed, there's also different types of canes from their thickness to their feature set. Mostly, blind people only use thinner canes when we maybe want a slimline cane as a backup/for light use, or an identifying cane, perhaps for someone who's losing sight, or doesn't have cane skills yet, or is legally blind but might not need or want to use a cane. I know little about either of these types, having owned neither. As for feature set, probably one of the big debates is convenience versus performance. There are three main styles of canes: the rigid, the folding, and the telescoping. When you're very young, or by preference when you're older, you get a rigid cane like Barbie comes with. It doesn't fold, so is a bit of a pain in the butt to stow away in vehicles, at work or school, etc. However, many blind people swear by that rigid cane as having the best possible tactile feedback. The folding cane is what I use personally. It has a strong elastic strap through the whole thing down to the tip, and joints that let you fold the cane up for easier storage. However, some say the more sections and joints you have the poorer the tactile feedback. There's the 50/50 cane with just one joint, to canes for taller people with 5, 6, or perhaps more joints. My cane has 5 joints, as I'm fairly tall. Next are the telescoping canes. They are made of a series of segments that get smaller as you get to the tip, so it can all collapse in on itself. It's the most portable of white canes, but also the poorest performer of the bunch. The one time I had a telescoping cane, I was so glad when it broke as I'd jabbed myself in the gut far too many times to count when the tip got stuck in a crack, I ran into the cane, and it collapsed on me. That's not even getting into the various tip types like metal, marshmallow, ball, rolling, ceramic, etc., or the materials canes are made out of like aluminum, fiberglass, graphite, and even carbon fiber. There's also more niche rough terrain cane tips, like the Dakota Disk, the so-called no-jab cane handles, and so-called smart or E-canes, which I have only passing knowledge of. Also, for blind people with other mobility challenges, I've seen Ambutech at least sell mobility canes and walkers that still have the blind-identifying white and red on them, which is pretty interesting. I'm no Orientation and Mobility (O&M) or cane expert by any means, but I hope this contribute to what I hope to be a broader understanding of blind cane use and dynamics. Again, thanks for the neat video and the extra cane research!

[@millydollydame]

@@seamarie3111 Thanks so much, most of us are unaware of the different types of canes so I thought it would be useful. My research could have been better though! Your information is very extensive so I hope everyone reads your comment. You say you're not an expert but you come across as very knowledgeable indeed!

[@seamarie3111]

@@millydollydameBah, it's just from my own research whenever my old cane wares out and I decide to buy a new one. I know there are some great info videos and channels on KZbin that can go into the intricacies far more adeptly than I can. I'm sure it's possible I've flubbed my info in a spot or two, or not added detail where I should have. Everyone has their own thoughts and preferences on cane use, and there are definitely different schools of thought as to what's best. In the end, it's really to each one's own, in my opinion. If you think I can waffle on about canes, a subject for which I went reaching back into the dusty recesses of my brain to write about, don't get me started on assistive technology, and accessibility. It's a series of subjects I have perhaps less technical knowledge of, but plenty of end user experiences and opinions. I'll probably be here all night soliloquizing. ☺️

[@millydollydame]

@@seamarie3111 😄 I'm not sure if I dare ask! Is there anyone on KZbin with a series about assistive technology? If not then I'm sure plenty of people would love to learn from your experiences.

[@seamarie3111]

@@millydollydameDefinitely some who include stuff like that. Every experience teaches you something different, though. To be frank, however, I just don't have the guts ☺️ I'm a writer, not a talker if you get my drift.

[@MarchPaynesMidlifeDollyCrisis]

It's a shame they couldn't just give her bendable knees as well, but that said she is a really pretty doll and they seem to have made a real effort to get the eyes right and be detailed with the cane too. The clothes she comes in are lovely, particularly the ruffled skirt, I would imagine that texture would be important to someone with limited sight. The dress you made for her has a real 60s feel about it, so obviously I love that too.

[@millydollydame]

@@MarchPaynesMidlifeDollyCrisis Bendable knees, that would have been great! That's such a good point about the skirt texture and thanks very much for the compliment about my dress ✨🥰❤️🤗✨

[@bogan-slayer7469]

I think it’s fantastic that they are mirroring real women in society ! Do you know whether they’ll release “False Allegation Barbie” anytime soon?

[@seamarie3111]

I agree full articulation would have been nice. However, I'm at least glad they gave her joints in the elbows instead of what they've done with other Barbies, leaving one arm straight and the other one bent, sometimes at a rather awkward angle honestly. I'm also glad that the outfit is to my low-vision eyes pretty, not gaudy or anything.

[@Starlight_pegasus]

Omg she’s like a better fashionsta she has really good articulation but it’s a shame she dosent have on her knee but that’s alright she’s very high quality and very pretty I’m totally gonna buy her when she’s in stores

[@millydollydame]

@@Starlight_pegasus Absolutely, I hope she gets to you soon! It is a shame that she doesn't also have knee articulation but thank goodness they put elbows in! ✨🥰🥰🤗✨

[@JustDonnaMaria]

I didn’t know that about the cane colors. She’s beautiful. I like that dress. Super cute. ❤😊

[@millydollydame]

@@JustDonnaMaria Thank you so much 🥰❤️🤗

[@Callumsouter-z2l]

I would recommend the Made to move dolls For her. Im pretty sure the green top might be a perfect match, and you can have the feet in heels/flats! 🤗💖

[@millydollydame]

@@Callumsouter-z2l Thanks so much Callum. It's looking very likely that I'll get the green yoga top body for the pink haired Odile. I'd rather have the way Barbie Extra bodies look but sometimes, the M2M bodies are the best option. Thank you 🥰❤️🤗

[@HadaDeDientes]

You can't go by the colors of the cane. I know totally blind people who use the folding cane with the red at the bottom. Actually, a lot of people use the white cane in their orientation and mobility training when they first start out using a cane because it's cheaper and lightweight.

[@millydollydame]

@@HadaDeDientes Oh dear, I should have done more research sorry. Thanks very much for this information 🥰❤️🤗

[@TheBlindBarista]

Exactly! And the eye placement has morning to do with the development of the eyes either.

[@EclecticWandering]

The shoes match the dress you made perfectly!

[@millydollydame]

@@EclecticWandering Thanks Tracy 🥰❤️🤗

[@natalidolll]

She is awesome! ❤❤🎉 Congratulations Milly on getting her ❤🎁

[@millydollydame]

@@natalidolll Thanks so much Natali, it was a wonderful surprise seeing her in Smyths 🩷🩷🩷

[@shiannamariestentt]

@@millydollydame I’m actually getting her as well. Hopefully today but if that was the case she would be arriving earlier than expected, but if not today then probably tomorrow through Friday.

[@millydollydame]

@@shiannamariestentt That's wonderful. I hope she arrives soon and that you like her. I'm sure you will, she's great 🥰❤️🤗

[@shiannamariestentt]

@@millydollydame yeah she didn't arrive today. But I'm in Northern California and when my grandfather checked Amazon it said that she left the carrier facility in Southern California so she should be here tomorrow or Thursday. I'll let you know. I'm legally blind and don't have my own Amazon account so that's why my grandfather got her for me off of his.

[@millydollydame]

@@shiannamariestentt Technology is wonderful! It's great that your grandfather can check the tracking details. Also great that he bought her on your behalf. When she arrives you'll be able to read her name in braille on the box 🩷🩷🩷

[@EclecticWandering]

Lovely doll Milly! I wish they had given her articulated knees too, but she is very pretty! I love the dress that you made for her.

[@millydollydame]

@@EclecticWandering Thanks so much. Yep, articulated knees would have been great 🥰❤️🤗

[@bcsdollplace]

I love the dress that you made her. This review was very informative. Great video.

[@millydollydame]

@@bcsdollplace Thank you so much Bethany 🥰❤️🤗

[@DollsRescued]

She has a cute outfit, but I love the dress you made her. ;-)

[@millydollydame]

@@DollsRescued Thanks so much Marna, this KZbin site has so many great Barbie patterns! 🥰❤️🤗

[@serenata1736]

She is lonely and came on a nice top and skirt. The dress you made looks great on her. I think it is really lovely without sleeves. 😊

[@millydollydame]

@@serenata1736 Thanks so much, I think I'll be making a lot of these dresses 🥰❤️🤗

[@JustinArtistry]

She's so cute! I love her! 💜

[@millydollydame]

@@JustinArtistry Thanks very much 🥰❤️🤗

[@ClaireWhoMakesThings]

I really enjoyed this video Milly. Thank you for sharing the designer of the pattern.

[@millydollydame]

@@ClaireWhoMakesThings Thanks so much Claire, I thought people would want to know about her ✨🥰❤️🤗✨

[@fairy22666]

So teachiing

[@millydollydame]

@@fairy22666 Thank you so much! It was my wish to tell people what I wanted to learn.

[@fairy22666]

@@millydollydame yees

[@nafex3740]

Lovely dolli Milly 💓💓💓💗💗💕💕💞💞

[@millydollydame]

@@nafex3740 Thank you so much 🥰❤️🤗

[@jennifermontanez2672]

Like this doll,definitely want her!!!!😊

[@millydollydame]

@@jennifermontanez2672 Thanks 🥰❤️🤗 She's widely available now I think (and I'm still so happy that I got her ☺️).

[@DonnasCreativeAdventures]

She is beautiful. I did not know about the color meanings to their walking sticks. Even this old girl learns new things daily. Your dress is stunning and the colors are perfect with her coloring and the shoes.

[@millydollydame]

@@DonnasCreativeAdventures Thank you so much! I also didn't know about all the different colour meanings 😬❤️🤗

[@DollsRescued]

My SIL was Legally Blind and worked at the School for the Blind. ;-)

[@millydollydame]

@@DollsRescued Wow that's so impressive! I can't even begin to imagine what it's like to be vision impaired. 🥰❤️🤗

[@millydollydame]

I've needed spectacles since the age of 9 but that doesn't count!

[@irenehough4441]

Love this doll! Congratulations. The dress you make her is so cute 🥰

[@millydollydame]

@@irenehough4441 Thank you so much! 🥰❤️🤗

[@irenehough4441]

You are very welcome. 🤗

[@octopudding325]

She is lovely and i love the little dress you made🥰🥰💐💐

[@millydollydame]

@@octopudding325 Thanks so much 🥰❤️🤗

[@docteurroro2342]

It's the first time I see this doll ! The efforts here are commendable, it's great to see another inclusive doll. Thank you for the explanations about the canes 😉 I agree about the clothes very cute ! Great review ! 👍

[@millydollydame]

@@docteurroro2342 Thank you so much. It's wonderful that Mattel have such a wide range of Fashionistas now 🥰❤️🤗

[@hola-munecas]

She’s so cute! Love the skirt. But the dress you made looks perfect on her! The dots on the dress remind me of braille writing ❤

[@millydollydame]

@@hola-munecas Thank you so much. I love what you wrote about the dress dots! 🥰❤️🤗

[@tuckerandfriends]

Really pretty Barbie.

[@millydollydame]

@@tuckerandfriends She really is! 🥰❤️🤗

[@seamarie3111]

Wow! You're the first person I've seen unboxing/reviewing her! I first learned about her yesterday and, as an early thirties blind adult who's been low vision since birth, I did a TOTAL happy dance! I have celebrated as Barbie have slowly rolled out more diverse and inclusive dolls, like the fashionista with the prosthetic leg, the one with the wheelchair, the down syndrome Fashionista, etc. Still, in the back of my mind, I was like "Where's the blind one?". When the Rainbow High doll line released the albino Delilah Fields with the glasses awhile back, I was happy to see that, but it just wasn't quite close enough. Now, though... Barbie's finally done it, and done it well. I can't wait to get this Fashionista in my hands! I would have LOVED to have this Barbie as a little girl to add to my suitcase full of them. Back then, the best I could do was use my imagination or just not do any storytelling with blind characters at all. My only minor gripe is they could have included an extra pair of just regular Barbie glasses so children can roll-play low vision. I was one of those who had both glasses and a red-tipped white cane very early, about three or four. Again, it's a minor gripe, as it's easy to fix with a set of glasses off another Barbie, and it seems they never stay on well anyway. I hope there are little girls for years to come who this Barbie means something to, blind and sighted ones alike, and that other fashion doll lines E.G. LOL Surprise, Rainbow High, and others follow suit. I have a little sister who's a preteen, and the first thing she asked when I showed her was if she could have one. We're probably getting like three: one for me, one for her, and one to keep in the box. I've mourned the drop in physical quality in Barbies for years, and we stopped buying them for my sister, but this is an exception.

[@millydollydame]

@@seamarie3111 Wow I absolutely love your comment! It's wonderful that Mattel have finally created a blind Barbie with a cane to add to their more diverse range. Shame she wasn't there for you when you were a child though. Your idea of an extra pair of glasses is great but I wonder if they would be any good? They're able to make lovely ones but haven't done so this time. That's the only negative about this doll though, she's really great. I hope you're able to get her soon, as well as one for your sister and a spare. Thanks so much for your wonderful comment 🥰❤️🤗

[@seamarie3111]

Sure, no problem! The glasses omission is no big deal, and certainly not a turn-off as only a subset of blind people, myself included, wear them anyway, and it's an easy thing to modify yourself. I was also pleasantly surprised by the price; it's been awhile since I've bought a Barbie, so am glad ones even like this are at a price point even a child could buy one with a little pocket money. Since my sister is sighted, and over 20 years younger than me, I take such joy in bridging generational gaps, and also helping her prepare to enter the world a confident, open-minded young woman.

[@millydollydame]

@@seamarie3111 Yes it's wonderful that she's the same price as other Fashionistas and that they dressed her in a great outfit as well. I love that you and your sister have a new bonding experience and that you're her mentor. ❤️❤️❤️

[@seamarie3111]

@@millydollydameWell, more like I'm just kind of around and she learns by osmosis. ☺️ Seriously, though, she's a great girl. I love spending time with her. Dolls, video games, swimming, etc. She means the world to me.

[@ILikeCreepyStuff]

I need her sm she’s amazing omg!

[@millydollydame]

@@ILikeCreepyStuff She really is, I hope you find her soon! 🥰❤️🤗

[@thedollsthewitchandthewardrobe]

How cool! I absolutely love the information you found on all this! I also really love her outfit - it's so chic! :)

[@millydollydame]

@@thedollsthewitchandthewardrobe Thanks so much Kim! I thought it might be handy for me, and others, to know the difference between the canes. I think it's great that Mattel put Barbie in braille on the box ✨🩷🩷🩷✨

[@amibrink]

She's lovely!

[@millydollydame]

@@amibrink Thank you 🥰❤️🤗

[@BreesBarbs]

Great video! I love the educational aspect. Thank you!!!

[@millydollydame]

@@BreesBarbs Thank you so much! 🥰❤️🤗

[@staczs]

I had no idea that they made a blind barbie doll and she is very pretty. I love dress you made for her 💖

[@millydollydame]

@@staczs Thank you so much. It looks like I was lucky enough to find an early drop but she's readily available now 🥰❤️🤗

[@MomLuvs2Collect]

Wow such a great doll! I Would love to get her because special needs Barbies have become my favorites 😍 I did not know all that information about the cane or the eyes so thank you for sharing 😎 Love her outfit too 👍 I have that same skirt in orange 😊 Nice dress you made 👏

[@millydollydame]

Thank you, they're so interesting! Which Barbie did you get the orange skirt with? It's so cute and I hadn't seen it before. ✨🥰❤️🤗✨

[@stainedglass8401]

I will definitely buy this when it sells in the USA.

[@millydollydame]

@@stainedglass8401 I hope you're able to get it soon 🤞❤️🤗

[@hannahlamagna]

She's so Cute.

[@millydollydame]

@@hannahlamagna Thank you 🥰❤️🤗

[@hannahlamagna]

@@millydollydame your welcome I love Barbie even since I was a Kid making a Barbie doll series called Barbie’s Life soon

[@millydollydame]

@@hannahlamagna That's great! I'll look forward to watching it (I've just subscribed ☺️). 🩷

[@Mslutter236]

This is so awesome! I'm blind myself so I can relate to this doll. Thinking of getting her but if I do I'm keeping her in the box

[@millydollydame]

@@Mslutter236 Thanks so much. If you do get her she'll be quite easy to put back into the box once she's been cut free. The box easily opens at the side. 🥰❤️🤗

[@merrillyu-gi-ohfan01king]

She is a pretty doll I think about getting her and naming her Sonia

[@millydollydame]

@@merrillyu-gi-ohfan01king Good choice, Sonia really suits her! 🥰❤️🤗

[@Vanessa-nh5es]

🤗🖤♥️🎈🔥🧜🏻‍♀️🎈

[@millydollydame]

@@Vanessa-nh5es Thank you 🥰❤️🤗

[@KaliStormDoll]

How fun 🎉

[@millydollydame]

@@KaliStormDoll Thanks very much 🥰❤️🤗

[@tuckerandfriends]

New subscriber

[@millydollydame]

@@tuckerandfriends Thanks so much, I really appreciate that 🥰❤️🤗

[@christopheralex6471]

Omg I’ve been searching every corner of the internet and I can’t find it! You’re so lucky and thank you for posting this❤!

[@millydollydame]

@@christopheralex6471 Thanks very much. I couldn't believe my luck when I saw her, especially seeing as she wasn't even on their website (still isn't). I hope you find her soon 🤞❤️🤗

[@irenehough4441]

Amazon has her.

[@millydollydame]

@@irenehough4441 That's good. I'm glad she's becoming more widely available 🥰❤️🤗

[@irenehough4441]

I am to

[@Dollsbobaworld]

I like the dress you gave her but her original outfit is also really nice especially by today s Barbie standards I found the video very nice to watch ❤❤❤❤

[@millydollydame]

@@Dollsbobaworld Thanks very much, I really appreciate that. 🥰❤️🤗

[@millydollydame]

Hi, thanks for watching and please subscribe if you like the video ☺️. I've added a link to the dress pattern in my video description. Her blog is in Korean but Google translates it 🤗

[@huntertomlin3523]

I’m going to buy her and name her Alison I had a classroom aide named Alison and she taught me to read when I was 8 so this inspired me-also she was vision impaired

[@millydollydame]

@@huntertomlin3523 I love that! What a wonderful way to remember your friend Alison ✨🥰❤️🤗✨

[@eddenoy321]

I have the first double amputee Barbie

[@justmebeingquirky]

As a nearsighted person imma get this doll and look for another body to switch with so she's made to move

[@millydollydame]

@@justmebeingquirky I hope you find a good colour match! 🥰❤️🤗

[@user-te6qm3ne8y]

It's a great idea. Why don't they do a schizophrenic Barbie? She could speak and say things like, "Why is everyone talking about me" or maybe "I know they are spying on me" . Then maybe they could make a baby Barbie and she could be "Stillborn Barbie" she could come in a pack with her mom and the mom Barbie could constantly talk about her and tell everyone she meets that she has a stillborn and what she imagined she would be doing today if she were alive and remind everybody that it's her birthday! Its great that toys are so progressive nowadays.

[@waylee264]

i feel that mattel should have included a toy guide dog along with the cane to represent various mobility aids for the blind and low vision. still, awesome doll.

[@millydollydame]

@@waylee264 That's a good idea, perhaps one day they will 🤞❤️🤗

[@RbnWebSolutions]

It’s crazy, dear

[@tiananesbitt7156]

🌷☕️💛

[@millydollydame]

@@tiananesbitt7156 🥰🩷🤗

[@salreal4479]

I mean...no disrespect, but I've received wonky eyes dolls similar to this doll. I could just give them a cane.

[@millydollydame]

@@salreal4479 Oh dear, it's funny because it's true. Mattel can get the screening very wrong at times 😬❤️🤗

[@seamarie3111]

Wonkey eyes... I'm laughing my but off here, as a low-vision person. I'm sure you're right. That's the beautiful thing about these dolls, though. Since they're in production, it's easy to swap the cane to the Barbie you want to use it! Same with any accessories the blind Barbie doesn't come with, like glasses; so easy to mix and match things. The great thing is the more they do the more people can customize and have fun with it!

[@poppycock31185]

Aren't all Barbie's blind? 😂

[@millydollydame]

@@poppycock31185 😂 You win! ❤️

[@Jade_902]

Oh please 🙄

[@javis123-qj9hj]

Sacaban a una Barbie ciega para los ciegos 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

[@langatp.kipkalya9549]

Do blind people actually appreciate this or is it a virtue signal marketing stunt by the company aimed to raise its social and moral profile😕

[@millydollydame]

@@langatp.kipkalya9549 I think it's probably both? This morning two ladies with vision loss were on the BBC quite pleased that there was representation for them at last. 🤗

[@irenehough4441]

Being blind in one eye and extremely low vision in the other. I am happy to be represented.

[@millydollydame]

@@irenehough4441 Wow, I had no idea! Your videos don't give any indication of that at all. ❤️

[@irenehough4441]

Thank you so much. 😊​@@millydollydame

[@seamarie3111]

As a person born with low vision, I was THRILLED to see them come out with this Barbie. Is it, as you said, a stunt/move to raise their moral/social profile? Probably! Do I care? Not really! I'm just glad she exists. I feel like important for blind kids (and other kids of course) to find something they can relate to. I also think it's equally important to normalize blindness and other disabilities/conditions among other kids, and open up the conversation, maybe make kids feel less awkward? I don't know, but it's a savvy move nonetheless, and way overdue. Still, I can understand any wariness about these Barbies to an extent because it seems like there was more partnership to make the blind and Down Syndrome Barbies than, say, the Deaf Barbie in Ken. In my opinion, as a non-deaf person, it probably would have meant a lot to some if they had fully articulated wrists and elbows to kind of pose their arms as if speaking sign language? I don't know... Again, that's just my thoughts. If they can give as much thought and detail to other inclusive Barbies as they did the blind and Down Syndrome ones, I think that would be a great thing.

[@MeowMeow_95_]

What blind kid is going to want to play with this!!?!? 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@seamarie3111]

I know I would have! I played with my Barbies all the time; had a whole suitcase stuffed with my collection. I am partially blind and I'd have loved having her in my collection, plus her cane which I could use with any Barbie. I'd have loved the other ones too like the one with the prosthetic, for example.