A
64-Year-Old Brazillian Grandfather, Joao Stangenelli Junior has created
Vitiligo Crochets Dolls to make children with the condition feel better.
Lived
with Vitiligo since his 30s, it’s regarded as a long-term skin
condition in which some patches of the skin lose their pigment and become white,
displaying sharp margins.
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The
skin disorder affects an estimated 1-3% of any population and it’s physically
harmless. It can, however, result in social stigma, increased sensitivity to
the sun as well as psychological stress.
Recently
retired from the Gastronomy Industry due to his unrelated health issue, the
Grandpa decided to put his hobby into action and to keep himself engaged and
vibrant. Specifically, Joao and his wife took up crocheting, though quite tough
at first, but shortly got hanging in it.
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‘At
the initial, my fingers and back hurt a lot, but today I don’t feel it anymore.
I am not yet retired. I still very much keep up with my old work with food. At the moment I spend about 90% of my time creating dolls and I have so many orders.’
Joao told Bored
Panda.
The
Grandpa explained that crocheting has an addictive attraction. ‘Once you become
so familiar to the rhythm, it becomes very difficult to stop,’ Joao added.
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Accordingly,
his first project was a doll for his granddaughter. After which, he decided to
create a doll with vitiligo patches and a huge idea was brought to life.
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