Grandpa With Vitiligo Crochets Dolls To Make Kids With This Condition Feel Better

Most of us are able to confirm our race based on skin color alone, whether we are black, Asian, or Caucasians. But for some, Vitiligo can turn that into a mockery because several patches of their skins are actually lacking in pigmentation. And like every other people who become minorities, they experience bullying, they lose confidence in themselves, they find it hard to love themselves.

Brazilian grandfather João Stanganelli Junior wants to dispel that all as someone with Vitiligo himself. Despite the difference of color and higher sensitivity to sunlight, there’s nothing else significant about this condition except for the appearance.

So, 64-year-old João makes dolls with vitiligo looks specifically for kids to help them feel better.

After recently retiring, João and wife decided to take up a new hobby: crocheting.

His first doll was made for his granddaughter with vitiligo patches to make it different.

That was how he started crocheting dolls with queer features from being on wheelchairs, having disabilities to vitiligo patches.

This helps kids feel better and ‘normal’ about themselves!

He has also made a doll for Tati Santos de Oliveira whose daughter is also suffering from vitiligo since she was 3. Not enough literature out there has helped Maria until she found João! She later penned ‘A Menina Feita de Nuvens‘ which tells the story of her daughter whose spots were made of clouds!

João also often posts his works on Facebook and Instagram.