UNION COUNY, N.C. -- Most girls like their dolls. But for Sydney Satalino, American Girl Dolls are more than toys.
Satalino has 109 of the dolls and she can name each of them -- and even has her own blog and YouTube page where she creates videos with the dolls.
While American Girl Dolls have different hair colors, different outfits, and ethnicities, there's not one Sydney to relate to.
The 13 year old, who lives in Union County, has diabetes. She also has scoliosis and autism.
“She handles her disabilities like they're abilities,” said Sydney’s dad Joe.
She used that spirit to turn an idea into a business.
With some financial help from her dad, Sydney created a company called “Special Dolls.”
Elliana is the first of the dolls and has a prosthetic arm.
Special Dolls just started but all of them will have disabilities. They are in the process of creating one with type one diabetes.
“Sydney's going to write a book and in the book it will tell them how to handle diabetes from pricking their finger to checking their blood sugar,” said Joe Satalino.
Relatability is the goal.
“I hope they get inspired to make their own dreams come true,” Sydney said.
Reaching her own dream while proving disabilities are just a tool for achieving greatness.
Special Dolls is accepting pre-orders for its first doll, Elliana.
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