Have you seen the "realistic" preemie doll by Ashton-Drake????

My son was born at 15 1/2 inches like the doll but he had a ventilator attached to him for 3 1/2 days and then a cpap and then a nasal. Don't forget the feeding tube and the pic line. I am sorry but I don't think any company can attempt to make a "preemie" doll. I have an old cabbage patch that is around 19 years old and she is what they classified as a preemie. When Mikey came home from the hospital she was bigger than he was!!!

It is very frustrating and I do hear all of your concerns but who in the heck is going to pay $130 for a doll anyway?

I've sent my own letter to the company. I haven't posted it, but I will let you know what reply I receive. It's been a long time since I've been irritated enough by something to actually write a letter, I hope I got my point across!!!

You'd be surprised how many people spend that kind of money on a doll....I've done it myself once or twice when it's been part of a collection I have.

I think we should ALL e-mail the CEO of Ashton Drake photos of our little preemies. That'll scare the hell out of them. My little 15 1/2 inch baby only weighed 2.5 pounds. That 15 1/2 inch behemoth they've created looks to weigh at least 6.

I'm going to have one of my graphic artists make "grace" look a tad more realistic as a preemie, including scalp IV, billi-lites, O2 sensor on the foot, goggles, and her very own "endearing isolette".

I too am drafting a letter of outrage to Ashton Drake, and I'm sending a note to NBC.

I'm really pissed off. I had no idea it would hit me like this.

What a bunch of jackasses!

I know exactly how you feel!!! If you find an address (other than the comments section of the website) to send pictures too, let me know. I will gladly help scare the bejesus out of them with a picture of my Little William in the hospital!

I sent my note, with an intro, to babycenter.com as well.

Thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention. That's what makes this such a wonderful site for NICU parents. As soon as I get over the shock of the "preemie doll", I too intend to write a letter to the company as well. If I can compose a good enough letter....I would be willing to share it with others to sign & send....if I can figure out how to do it on this site.

I wrote a little note to CBS to suggest that they may want to do a human interest/consumer story on the doll....since it dishonors so many wonderful parents and their beautiful children. I also thought it would be very appropriate for a story since Walk America is soon approaching. I will venture on to "SHAME ON YOU" at ABC....to see if they might be interested in a story as well. I am also surprised at their response after such a powerful and meaningful letter from a Preemie's Mom!!

Although some of our children may be tiny....together NICU parents have a LARGE voice!!! Ashton Drakes should have done the smart thing and consulted SHARE!

Thanks again for the shocking info!!!

Brenda & Benjamin (34 weeker born 12/24/99 with NEC)

Hi "PoPs",

After Logan's Mom brought this to my attention I have taken some time to get over the initial shock.

Ashton Drake has ventured down a path they should have never gone down! While I think it was with good intentions, they have been very misinformed. I'm sure now with the information they are receiving from all of us here at SHARE they will hopefully think before leaping into their next endeavor.

From an emotional standpoint, everyone who has posted thus far has covered every emotion I have about this subject. I too plan to contact Ashton Drake, as does my mother (she is a big customer of theirs with 10 granddaughters). I will also follow in Brenda's footsteps and try to contact ABC!

We will see what happens. It is too bad that an apology from such a big company comes in a form letter!

Take care,
Karri, mom to:
Ian 2-11-99 (38 weeks)
Hanna & Rachel 2-24-01 (25 weeks)
Will 7-14-03 (36 weeks--13 weeks bedrest)

I couldn't agree more with the post here already. I love the idea of sending them pictures of these precious preemies! My son was what I consider to be a very healthy preemie. At 31 weeks he was a large 4lbs 6oz but certainly looked nothing like "Grace"! He too was on the vent, had a PIC line, IVs, oxygen sensors you all know the drill. I've never been so scared in my life. My son still had a very sunken chest and legs tiny enough for my husband's wedding ring to fit around when he came home, there was not a crease or fold on him! Sorry I'm ranting -- please let us know if anyone knows how to contact the company. I'll search more on the web site for an address as well. It is time some one made these doll makers Cabbage Patch Kids included understand that preemie doesn't just mean small.

I agree I had to do a double take when I saw last weeks newspaper insert with this so called preemie doll. At first glance I thought how cute another lifelike baby doll but just as I was about to toss it out I the word preemie jumped out at me and I practically studied every inch of the doll picture. My first thought was ok where is the feeding tube through her cute little nose or mouth and all her other little wires with gold heart stickys on her belly? I mean if they are talking realistic let's get real about it. And that stuff I was thinking was just the more basic things my little girl had towards the end of her 88 day NICU stay. I lost a twin after 40 days and even though we have her sister I didn't let many people visit due to germs and so many of my family and friends never even got to meet my one daughter. I have shared pictures but they don't even do justice to what my girls looked like for a while. I don't want people to think well that's what a preemie looks like I guess. Hopefully if enough of us speak out our words may be heard.

Amy (Mother of 26wk twins)

Hi all i just got done writing a nice long letter to mail to the comp. i included 3 pics w it 2 are of my lil boys who were born at 20 weeks weighing less than a pound and my other angel who was at 26 weeks weighing 2 pounds+ i explained nicely that this is what a preemie looks like w all the nasty wires and ugly machines that our innocent children deal w and i also got a phone number for them also maybe that will help also the # is 18772686638 I am really sickened and saddened when i saw this doll i dont know if i should cry or what i am sorry to all of the preemie parents out there who have to see and go through this some people just dont put thoughts behind there ideas!!!!!!! take care all and god bless you

brandy mother of: corey 20 weeks less than a pound didnt make it to nicu, baby pete 26 weeks 2+pounds 11-25-03 to 11-27-03 and dominque 33 weeks 5pounds 7 ounces

just wanted you all to know i just got off of the phone with JULIAN she is a supervisor for ashtondrake she listined to my complaint and "said" she would pass it on to the marketing director yeah like thatll get far i asked to speak to that person and she would not let me but atleast now we have a # i told her also that i want that doll off of there website and off of the market and i am also thinking about calling a couple local news people maybe if more of us write and call something will be done!!!!! good luck to you all keep us updated on progress!!!

I JUST WENT TO THE WEBSITE, I'M NOT SURE HOW I FEEL. IT HURTS ME BECAUSE MY SON WAS BORN AT 26 WKS............ HE AFTER STAYING IN ICU FOR 3 MONTHS , HE DID NOT COME HOME LOOKING THAT HEALTHY, NOT EVEN THAT COLOR, WHEN HE CAME HOME HE WAS SO SMALL. HOW SAD THIS DOLL IS, THERE'S NOTHING CUTE ABOUT THE IDEA OF HAVING A PRETERM BABY! THIS IS SO SAD. THE AD SAY'S " MAY GOD BLESS LITTLE GRACE" MAY GOD BLESS THE ONE WHO HAD THIS IDEA, AND I WILL PRAY THAT PERSON NEVER HAS TO GO THROUGH THE EMOTIONS OF HAVING A PRETERM BABY! I JUST SHOWED MY CO-WORKER WHO IS A MOTHER OF THANK GOD 2 FULLTERM BABIES........SHE SAID HOW SAD. IT'S A SHAME WHAT PEOPLE WILL DO FOR MONEY!!!!!!!! LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP GET THIS AD OFF!

I thought the following information would be helpful to those who would like to share their wealth of knowledge with the makers of the Preemie Doll. Ashton-Drakes (Collectibles Today) is also affiliated with the following companies: BRADFORD EXCHANGE CHECKS, THE BRADFORD GROUP, HAMILTON ACTION FIGURES, HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER. On the site for The Bradford Group (www.bradfordgroup.com), their "Vision and Missions statement is as follows:

"We strive to bring joy and happiness to the lives of our customers by fulfilling the emotional, psychological and aesthetic needs associated with the acquisition of excellent quality and highly valued collectibles and products enhanced through artistry and design that are related to their expressed interests." (Signed by Richard W. Tinberg, President & CEO of The Bradford Group)

They list their values as Honesty, Fairness, Respect, Knowledge, Innovation, and Excellence.

If you would like to express your personal vision and mission to Mr. Tinberg the headquarter address is: THE BRADFORD GROUP, 9333 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, IL 60714....Please feel free to copy Collectibles Today (Ashton-Drakes) 9307 n. Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, IL 60714-1381! Hope this helps with your letters.

Although their intentions in marketing this Preemie Doll may have been associated with their vision and mission....they undoubtedly missed a very important group of knowledgeable NICU parents. Perhaps Mr. Tinberg will be more receptive and attentive then a customer service rep when he receives all our letters. Share your thoughts and compassion in the loving way a NICU parent is very capable of doing.

Brenda & Benjamin (34 weeker born 12/24/99 with NEC)

Please keep us posted on all the replies you receive from this company. When I saw the picture, my stomach lept into my throat. Let us know what we can do to help.

Just thought I would let you all know that I found Richard Tinberg's (CEO of Bradford Group) fax number. It's (847)581-8761. I saw that the address has already been posted. I received my reply from the customer service rep. and it was EXACTLY the same as the one posted. I knew it was a form letter, but they could at least come up with more than one form!

Keep those letters going...

To Whom it May Concern:
As the mother of a recently born 25 week preemie, I am appalled at this doll. This little doll, though very cute, does not in any way depict the actual appearance of a truly premature baby. My son spent over three months in the hospital hooked up to any number of tubes, getting any number of blood transfusions, and looking very close to giving up. He was only pink when he was screaming from all the needles and procedures he had to endure. He was covered in huge bruises when he was born, and was placed under a blue phototherapy light for jaundice...does this sound like your doll?? I know that all babies are different, but I can tell you from my months in the NICU that none of the preemies looked so healthy while they were there. We, the parents of Preemies, will spend the rest of our lives remembering how frightening it was to see our children hooked up to so many machines...barely holding on. Some of us will always remember losing our precious little ones because it was just too son for them to be here. Your company would do well to remember that Prematurity is a PROBLEM, not something to use as a sales tactic. You want to know how scary it is to be the parent of a Preemie? Do you want to see what it takes to love and care for a Preemie? Try to sell a doll that looks like an ACTUAL preemie...maybe when you see the lack of interest you'll realize what special care these children really need.
Want to apologize? Make a huge contibution to the March of Dimes, I'm sure all of us Preemie Mom's would appreciate it. Out of the question right? You want to make money off of this issue, not spend it to try to help...

Sincerely,
Dawn Aumiller

I would include the response I received but you've all read it already!

WHERE IS THIS LETTER FROM THIS SO CALLED PREEMIE DOLL? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY ,SOMEONE PLEASE LET ME KNOW THANK YOU. SHACARM

Here is the company's response... Dear Valued Client,

Thank you for contacting us with your concerns regarding "May God Bless You, Little Grace Lifelike Baby Doll."

We certainly did not intend to offend anyone with this depiction of a premature baby. As not all babies start out on equal footing, this doll is meant to represent a celebration of life. Thanks to the advances in medical treatment, and the loving care of parents and family, there are most often happy, healthy babies.

Thank you again for contacting us as we always appreciate your comments. Please respond to this email if we may be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

James Hunnington
collectiblestoday.com Customer Service

Just wanted to include a copy of my letter to the company as well.



I wanted to express my deep sadness over the release of your new “life like preemie, Grace”. Your company’s misrepresentation of preemies sets back the educational efforts of wonderful groups like the March of Dimes by decades. Preemies are not simply a smaller version of full term infants. Prematurity is a very serious issue! I can assure you my 31 weeker never had “folds or creases” anywhere on his tiny body during his NICU experience. Your artist forgot many of the most important preemie accessories: the ventilator (because his underdeveloped lungs are incapable of performing the task of breathing), the PIC line in his arm, the numerous IV lines, the feeding tubes, monitors, and don’t forget the anxious parents waiting outside the NICU door because they are not allowed to visit their child because the preemie in the bed next to him is crashing with every available nurse, doctor, and chaplain doing everything possible to save this fellow preemie. “Grace” dishonors preemies and their families everywhere!

Hi ladies,

I'm attaching a copy of the letter I sent to Ashton Drake.

I writing to voice my extreme disappointment in the choice your company has made in making and attempting to sell the doll Grace. Their is absolutely nothing that is "Life-like" about your preemie representation! My twin girls were born at 25 weeks gestation and didn't even measure 15 inches long and to this day have not one crease or fold! You neglected to include on the doll the ventilator that would have been needed to sustain her fragile life, or the numerous IVs for medications and feeding, also necesssary to sustain the life of a Preemie. Within the description of the doll you state something about cuddling with this adorable preemie. The fact is many parents of Premature children wait for weeks, sometimes months, to hold their child because they are so sick.
Prematurity is an enormous problem in our world and the leading cause of death in infants within the first month of life. As I'm sure this company meant no disrespect in making this doll I do feel that you have been extremely disrespectful and insensitive to all Parents of Premature children. I would hope that in the future your company would use better judgement when designing and marketing future merchandise!
Sincerely,
Karri Friedenberger

I wish I could hug each and every one of you! When I found that ad, wrote the letter and got that disheartening response I was feeling so bummed. I felt like the power of one was not enough. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! To each and every one of you who wrote a letter on behalf of our children, I thank you. Perhaps my voice by itself wasn't enough, but perhaps with all of our voices protesting together it will be just the education the Ashton-Drake Galleries needs.
It just goes to show, a POP just understands how another POP feels. I feel like I am in such great company here... surrounded by compassionate, powerful and VOCAL moms and dads who can be the voices for these tiny babies who can not voice their protests themselves! You guys really are the best.
Keep writing!

Just an update: I received the same form letter back in response to my letter that the rest of you received. I just hope a person is reading these letters and not a computer spitting out replies. The letters that you all have posted have been so eloquently written and heartfelt. Even if we change nothing about "Grace" maybe we can stop a future line of preemie dolls.

Woooooohoooooooooo...I just sent my letter also. It really breaks my heart and that is what I told them. The public's perception of a preemie is already way out of bounds, seeing a doll like this just leads the public further astray and keeps them from realizing that prematurity is a HUGE health care crisis. It is growing in epidemic proportions and thank God, the March of Dimes is trying to do something about it!!!

You guys are the best and TOGETHER we can make a difference!!
Hugs!
Michele

I just wanted to post that the prematurity wristbands are now available at the March of Dimes site. I am trying to get the word out and this is a pretty active thread right now, so I thought I would mention it here. They look fantastic, so help spread the word.

Kathleen Stahl

Hey, guys! I got a phone call from Ashton-Drake and spoke with the customer service supervisor. She said they have received numerous e-mails and she is forwarding them on. I think by the end of our conversation she was on our side. My advice and hers is to keep the e-mails coming. You will get the form letter response, but she is forwarding them to her supervisor. She would not give me her supervisors name, I tried! Anyway, keep the e-mails going!!!

Hugs!
Michele

Michele,
That's great news! Perhaps after some convincing letters and emails they are starting to see things through a different light. I have been consumed by this lately and I'm tired of sleepless nights! I have emailed everyone in my address book (and that's a LOT of people) asking, well desperately pleading, for more letters to the company. I am gaining hope that we will make a difference. POPs are a pretty resilient group, we've been through a lot. We're patient and strong and that's a pretty good recipe to make a change. I am keeping the ad, though, to use in my future MOD speeches as an example.
Yay! I feel so much better about this than I did a few days ago.

Thank you so much for passing that along! I can not believe you got a real live person on the phone! At least now we know that the letters are being read by a real person and not being responded to by an automated system. You go Ms. National Ambassador!!

Just wanted to say thank you for bringing this to our attention. See, your one voice has already made a big difference!

I sent out my letter too...and invited the President/CEO to come and visit us all on the site and see our "mission statement and vision" for our wonderful preemies through the wonderful stories here. I'll follow up when I get my response!

But just wanted to also say....what an "elite" group of wonderful parents here on SHARE....and how proudly we represent all our children!

Brenda & Benjamin (34 weeker born 12/24/99 with NEC)