🧶 Crocheting for a Cause

When Brazilian grandfather João Stanganelli retired, he took up a new hobby to pass the time: crocheting. After quickly falling in love with the calming pastime, he began to crochet the little dolls seen above for his grandchildren.

His creations are no typical dolls, however. João has vitiligo, a condition that affects the pigmentation of his skin, so he wanted to create dolls to celebrate the diverseness of the human body.

• He started out regularly crocheting dolls with skin differences, and has since branched out to cover limb differences and other physical disabilities.

💬 What he's saying: According to João, his journey with vitiligo has ultimately helped him find acceptance. "I think it is necessary first [to accept] that you have vitiligo," he said. "After this acceptance you choose what you want to do. I still quote Benjamin Disraeli: ‘Life is too short to be small!”

+Note: This story first appeared on May 3 in Positive DONUT, a weekly newsletter delivering awe (and awww) inspiring stories you won't hear in the news. Sign up for free here.