Meet 10-year-old Melissa Shang. Like many girls, she is a fan of the American Girl doll/book series. But Melissa is making headlines because she is petitioning the popular brand to name a doll with a disability as its 2015 "Girl of the Year." Why? Because "disabled girls are American girls too."
Melissa Shang, 10, Petitions American Girl To Name Doll With Disability 'Girl Of The Year'
You see, Melissa herself as a disability. She has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which damages the peripheral nerves, causing muscle weakness and decreased muscle size. She just wants to see a "Girl of the Year" doll that has a story like her own -- and maybe even uses a wheelchair like her.
The "Girl of the Year" dolls are special edition characters that highlight an overarching theme for the year with a back story focusing on a modern-day issue. These dolls have promoted issues like community service and anti-bullying, but so far, there hasn't been a doll with a disability. So Melissa spoke up:
