Danny Leclair, left, and Aubrey Loots, center, a gay couple from Los Angeles, celebrate after getting married on the AIDS Healthcare Foundation's third annual float "Living the Dream" during the 125th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. Rev. Alfreda Lanoix, right, of the Unity Fellowship Church of Christ performed the marriage.
Ringo H.W. Chiu | AP
An online petition calling on American Girl to release a doll with a disability has been gaining traction and signatures with the help of an on-camera plea by the 10-year-old leading the charge.
Melissa Shang, from Paoli, Pa., has a form of muscular dystrophy called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. It has kept her from running or ice skating with her peers. She loves American Girl dolls, the petition notes, in part because they help her “understand how it feels to be someone else.”
In their petition, Melissa and her sister YingYing are asking Mattel, which owns American Girl, to release a new doll that helps other girls understand what it’s like to face what Melissa faces.
“For once, I don’t want to be invisible or a side character that the main American Girl has to help,” Melissa writes on her petition page. “I want other girls to know what it’s like to be me, through a disabled American Girl’s story.”
In less than a minute, Melissa makes a confident, eloquent case for a doll like her.
“Disabled girls are American girls too,” Melissa tells the camera. “We face challenges and overcome them every day.”
The petition, addressed to Jean McKenzie, the president of American Girl and executive vice president of Mattel, calls for the company to release a “Girl of the Year for 2015 who is in a wheelchair so that all girls can learn about the difficulty of being born with a disability.”
It has gained thousands of signatures in less than a week, more than 13,000 by late New Year’s Day.
American Girl dolls have long been known for their unique stories - initially historical in nature and more contemporary in recent years. The stories often feature girls overcoming challenges. According to the company’s site, the dolls are intended to “help girls grow up in a wholesome way, while encouraging them to enjoy girlhood through fun and enchanting play.” Each year, the company releases a “Girl of the Year” with a new story and a new set of challenges.
The petition ends with praise for American Girl: "Thank you so much for telling the stories of so many girls throughout American history - and thank you in advance for telling this one."
Mattel has not yet responded to request for comment.© 2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Danny Leclair, left, and Aubrey Loots, center, a gay couple from Los Angeles, celebrate after getting married on the AIDS Healthcare Foundation's third annual float "Living the Dream" during the 125th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. Rev. Alfreda Lanoix, right, of the Unity Fellowship Church of Christ performed the marriage.
Ringo H.W. Chiu | AP
Dubai isn't exactly known for its subtlety. The flashy city in the United Arab Emirates likes to go big. Really big. Record-breaking big.
The city broke the world record for the largest ever fireworks display, according to Guinness World Records, which was on-hand to confirm it.
The extravaganza took 10 months of planning and more than half a million fireworks were used during the show, which lasted about six minutes. It incorporated some of Dubai's landmarks and covered a distance of about 62 miles of the city's seafront.
Now that's setting the bar high for the new year.
Christian Slater said "I do" to his longtime love Brittany Lopez on Monday, Dec. 1, 2013 at a courthouse in Coral Gables, Florida.
After announcing she gave birth to a baby girl, Hewitt's rep revealed on Nov. 27, 2013 that she and Brian Hallisay also tied the knot.
Hilty and Gallagher were married in an intimate ceremony at the Venetian chapel in Las Vegas on Nov. 2.
The *NSYNC member tied the knot with his girlfriend on Nov. 2 in Orlando, Fla.
Clarkson wed Blackstock in Tennessee on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013 at Blackberry Farms in Walland. Blackberry Farms is a 4,200-acre luxury hotel and resort situated in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Ricci married her fiance in New York City on Oct. 26, 2013.
Bell and Shepard tied the knot in Oct. 2013 after being engaged for four years. They wed recently at the Beverly Hills County Clerk office in Los Angeles, according to TMZ.
The longtime lovebirds wed in Oregon on Oct. 20, 2013 at a summer camp-themed party.
Fishel married her boyfriend of nearly five years in Los Angeles on Oct. 19, 2013. The couple said their "I dos" in front of over 200 guests at wedding venue Vibiana, a former cathedral, in a "short and sweet" ceremony.
The pair tied the knot in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 12, 2013. The wedding took place on a lawn underneath a chuppah, and the guests all sipped cocktails by the pool afterwards.
The couple said "I do" on Oct. 12, 2013 at Smokey Glen Farm in Gaithersburg, Md.
Williams and model Lasichanh tied the knot in Miami on Oct. 12, 2013. The musician and his beautiful wife enjoyed music by pals Usher and Busta Rhymes.
The "Laguna Beach" star married Slack on Oct. 12, 2013 at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, Calif.
Andy Samberg tied the knot with his fiancee Joanna Newsom on Sept. 21, 2013 in Big Sur, Calif.
The couple got married on Lake Como, Italy on Sept. 14, 2013.
The "Saturday Night Live" star and future "Late Night" host married longtime girlfriend Alexi Ashe in an intimate ceremony on Martha's Vineyard on Sept. 1.
The actress and director married on a ranch in Montana on Aug. 31, 2013.
The "Modern Family" star <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/21/jesse-tyler-ferguson-married-justin-mikita_n_3631143.html" target="_blank">married his boyfriend</a> in NYC on July 20.
Berry and Martinez tied the knot in France on July 13, 2013 after dating for three years.
Kimmel tied the knot with longtime love McNearney at a star-studded ceremony in Ojai, Calif., on July 13, 2013.
Rapper Wiz Khalifa and his Amber Rose finally became Mr. and Mrs. after deciding to get married in a courthouse on July 8, 2013. They are planning to hold a ceremony later this year.
The actress and the hockey player tied the knot in Prince Edward Island, Canada on July 6, 2013. <strong>CORRECTION</strong>: A previous version of this slide misstated the wedding's location.
The duo tied the knot on July 1, 2013 in France. Lavigne wore a black wedding dress!
The actress tied the knot with the soccer player-turned-artist in a secret wedding ceremony in London in June.
The "Scandal" star secretly wed the NFL player in Idaho on June 24, 2013.
Lucas married Hobson at Skywalker Ranch, in Marin County, Calif., at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 22.
The "90210" star tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend at the Calamigos Ranch in Malibu on June 14, 2013.
The pair wed in Spain on June 8, 2013 after an almost two-year engagement.
The couple went to the courthouse in Nashville, Tenn., to get their marriage license on June 7, 2013 before their Southern wedding on June 8.
The "American Idol" lovebirds tied the knot at the Luxe Hotel in Brentwood, Calif., on June 1, 2013.
The actress married her tattoo artist fiance in New Orleans, La., on June 1, 2013.
The "Breaking Bad" star married Parsekian in a Paris-themed ceremony in Malibu, Calif., on May 26, 2013.
The "90210" actress tied the knot with the model/musician at the Boys Hall in Ashford, Kent on May 10, 2013.
Knightley married rocker Righton in an intimate ceremony in France on May 4, 2013. She wore a short tulle dress and flats.
Applegate and LeNoble tied the knot on Feb. 23, 2013 in a private ceremony after dating for five years. The couple have a daughter Sadie, 2.
The couple tied the knot in California on Dec. 27, 2012 after a 13-month-long engagement.
Winslet married her third husband, Rocknroll, in early Dec. 2012 in New York, saying "I do" at an intimate ceremony.
The longtime loves tied the knot at Zach Braff's home in Los Angeles, Calif., on Dec. 15. Cobb's former boss and BFF Jessica Simpson looked gorgeous as a bridesmaid.
"Bachelorette" stars Ashley and J.P. -- who met on season 7 of the show in 2011 -- <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/02/ashley-hebert-jp-rosenbaum-married-bachelorette-couple-wed_n_2227476.html?utm_hp_ref=celebrity">tied the knot</a> in front of family, friends at the picturesque Langham Hotel in Pasadena, Calif., on Dec. 1
The "X Factor" host, 39, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/02/mario-lopez-married-the-x-factor-host-ties-the-knot-with-courtney-mazza_n_2227434.html?utm_hp_ref=celebrity">married his girlfriend of four years,</a> Courtney Mazza, 29, on Dec. 1 in a beach wedding in Punta Minto, Mexico.
The "True Blood" star <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/31/evan-rachel-wood-jamie-bell-married-weds-true-blood_n_2053408.html">wed the "Billy Elliot" actor</a> on Oct. 30, 2012 in a small ceremony in Calif.
The singer-turned-actor married his girlfriend of five years on Oct. 19, 2012 during a private ceremony and reception at Borgo Egnazia resort in Puglia, Italy. JT <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/22/justin-timberlake-jessica-biel-wedding-day-was-magical_n_2000357.html">called the wedding "magical"</a> with Biel adding, "It was a fantasy."
"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" star wed his longtime love on Oct. 13, 2012 in Los Angeles, Calif. The couple got engaged in July. Everybody do the Carlton!
The model married the comedian on Oct. 12, 2012 in Santa Ynez, Calif., at the Sunstone Vineyards and Winery in front of 112 guests.
Osbourne and his love Stelly exchanged vows during an intimate ceremony in Hawaii on Oct. 7, 2012. The couple has a 6-month-old daughter, Pearl.
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" star, 29, and "The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret" actor, 48, tied the knot on Oct. 6, 2012. The bride wore a yellow wedding dress and celebrated alongside her "Sisterhood" co-stars Blake Lively and America Ferrera.
The "Private Practice" star wed fellow Broadway star Swenson on Oct. 6, 2012 at their home in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. The couple have been dating since 2007.
The "So You Think You Can Dance" host tied the knot with the comedian in a top-secret wedding in St. Isidore's College Church in Rome on Sept. 30, 2012. A friend of Deeley's said she "looked like a goddess" on her special day.
Hathaway married fellow actor Shulman on Sept. 29, 2012 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/28/anne-hathway-married-adam-shulman_n_1923958.html">at sunset in Big Sur, Calif</a>. The couple dated for three years before getting engaged in November 2011.
The Kings of Leon bassist married Patterson in an outdoor ceremony in Charlotte, Tenn., on Sept. 29, 2012. They then celebrated with friends and family in a rustic house on the grounds.
Sabato Jr. <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20633484,00.html">married his longtime love</a> in a romantic ceremony in Hawaii on Sept. 25, 2012. The couple have a child together, Antonio III, 1.
A giant Rubber Duck created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is towed along Hong Kong's Victoria Habour Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the 16.5-meter (54-foot)-tall Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
A giant Rubber Duck created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is towed along Hong Kong's Victoria Habour Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the 16.5-meter (54 feet)-tall Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
A giant Rubber Duck created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is towed along Hong Kong's Victoria Habour Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the 16.5-meter (54 feet)-tall Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
A 16.5-meter(650-inch)-high giant Rubber Duck created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is towed along Hong Kong's Victoria Habour Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
A giant Rubber Duck created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is towed along Hong Kong's Victoria Habour Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the 16.5-meter (54-feet)-tall Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
A giant Rubber Duck created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is towed along Hong Kong's Victoria Habour Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the 16.5-meter (54-f44t)-tall Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman poses with his creation, a giant Rubber Duck in Hong Kong Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the 16.5-meter (54-feet)-tall Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman's giant Rubber Duck enters Cockle Bay Wharf on opening day of the Sydney Festival January 5, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Sydney festival opening, previously 'Sydney Festival First Night', was scaled back from previous years, when crowds reached as many as 60,000 for the launch. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman's giant Rubber Duck enters Cockle Bay Wharf on opening day of the Sydney Festival January 5, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Sydney festival opening, previously 'Sydney Festival First Night', was scaled back from previous years, when crowds reached as many as 60,000 for the launch. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman's giant Rubber Duck enters Cockle Bay Wharf on opening day of the Sydney Festival January 5, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Sydney festival opening, previously 'Sydney Festival First Night', was scaled back from previous years, when crowds reached as many as 60,000 for the launch. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman's giant Rubber Duck enters Cockle Bay Wharf on opening day of the Sydney Festival January 5, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Sydney festival opening, previously 'Sydney Festival First Night', was scaled back from previous years, when crowds reached as many as 60,000 for the launch. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
A giant 50 foot rubber duck floats down the Thames to celebrate the launch of Jackpotjoy.com's new Facebook Fundation, a bursary granting funds and rewards for daft ideas to encourage Brits to have more fun.
A giant 50 foot rubber duck floats down the Thames to celebrate the launch of Jackpotjoy.com's new Facebook Fundation, a bursary granting funds and rewards for daft ideas to encourage Brits to have more fun.
A giant Rubber Duck created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is towed along Hong Kong's Victoria Habour Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the 16.5-meter (54-foot)-tall Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
A giant Rubber Duck created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is towed along Hong Kong's Victoria Habour Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the 16.5-meter (54 feet)-tall Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The 16.5-metre-tall inflatable Rubber Duck art installation is seen at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 2, 2013. The inflatable duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will be on display in the former British colony until June 9. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
A giant Rubber Duck created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is towed along Hong Kong's Victoria Habour Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the 16.5-meter (54 feet)-tall Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
A 16.5-meter(650-inch)-high giant Rubber Duck created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is towed along Hong Kong's Victoria Habour Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
A giant Rubber Duck created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is towed along Hong Kong's Victoria Habour Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the 16.5-meter (54-feet)-tall Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
A giant Rubber Duck created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is towed along Hong Kong's Victoria Habour Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the 16.5-meter (54-f44t)-tall Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman poses with his creation, a giant Rubber Duck in Hong Kong Thursday, May 2, 2013. Since 2007 the 16.5-meter (54-feet)-tall Rubber Duck has traveled to various cites including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman's giant Rubber Duck enters Cockle Bay Wharf on opening day of the Sydney Festival January 5, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Sydney festival opening, previously 'Sydney Festival First Night', was scaled back from previous years, when crowds reached as many as 60,000 for the launch. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman's giant Rubber Duck enters Cockle Bay Wharf on opening day of the Sydney Festival January 5, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Sydney festival opening, previously 'Sydney Festival First Night', was scaled back from previous years, when crowds reached as many as 60,000 for the launch. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman's giant Rubber Duck enters Cockle Bay Wharf on opening day of the Sydney Festival January 5, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Sydney festival opening, previously 'Sydney Festival First Night', was scaled back from previous years, when crowds reached as many as 60,000 for the launch. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman's giant Rubber Duck enters Cockle Bay Wharf on opening day of the Sydney Festival January 5, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Sydney festival opening, previously 'Sydney Festival First Night', was scaled back from previous years, when crowds reached as many as 60,000 for the launch. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
A giant 50 foot rubber duck floats down the Thames to celebrate the launch of Jackpotjoy.com's new Facebook Fundation, a bursary granting funds and rewards for daft ideas to encourage Brits to have more fun.
A giant 50 foot rubber duck floats down the Thames to celebrate the launch of Jackpotjoy.com's new Facebook Fundation, a bursary granting funds and rewards for daft ideas to encourage Brits to have more fun.
