Barbie Fashionistas Doll #229, Doll with Down Syndrome Wearing Heart-Print Dress, Created in Partnership with The National Down Syndrome Society

When I purchased this doll, I didn't realize she has Downs Syndrome. I just wanted and inexpensive way to add some racial diversity to the zillion or so tall, blonde Barbies handed down from my sister and I and gifted by relatives. I looked at other black Barbies, and I chose this one because of her authentic look, confidence, and smile. Her shape is much more realistic than that of most Barbies. She's a little shorter, her breasts are smaller, thighs, seat and belly are a little wider than typical for Barbie, but she looks so REAL. She's absolutely GORGEOUS! I was initially a little concerned that none of the other Barbie's clothes would fit her, but I was happy to find that I could make most of our existing doll clothes work for her. Some of the really form-fitting clothes that I had to go with my '80s Barbies do not fit, but they don't fit many other modern-day Barbies either. Overall, this is an excellent purchase. My 6 and 8 year old don't know what Downs Syndrome is, and I would be extremely surprised if they even notice there's anything different about this doll that would suggest any kind of disability. If they do, it will provide a good opportunity to talk about diversity, but if they don't bring it up, I honestly probably won't even bother trying to explain it because I just don't think they'd really understand it at this point yet. To them (and to me) she is just another beautiful, lively, fun Barbie doll.

Her glasses are so cute and I love how far Barbie’s have come, when I was a kid we only had the standard blonde skinny Barbie. I love that this Barbie has a more “natural” shape and I love that I can give my daughter dolls that all have their own personality. To add, I don’t think her face looks much different than any other Barbie and looking at her we couldn’t tell she is supposed to have Down syndrome as the box states. She is perfect though and the same quality as any Barbie.

Ordered this doll for my daughter and she loved it! Product is as described!

This doll was advertised to be a Downs Syndrome Doll. She didn't look like that at all to any of us. She's a nice doll & we are packing her in some of our OCC boxes.

I am 76 and have admired Barbie Dolls from their creation. This one is very unique. I like it a lot, of course just to appreciate. This was an impulse order that I keep, to "like", with 2 smaller dolls.

rare find...my niece and a cousin have DS. I wanted to get the doll for one of them but kept it as not to be offensive. I love it for my personal collection

As described. Love this collection of dolls that Barbie has created. Can't wait to get my daughter more from it. Good quality and love the attention to detail of the braids in her hair, even my daughter commented on how pretty her hair is.

My neice absolutely loved her new Barbie! As with most Barbies she is a good quality doll.