For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Anybody remember these?
http://www.abledata.com/product_images/ … 3A0873.jpg
I first heard of Spinoza here on Teddy Talk- he's a big, fat snuggly bear with a tape player (later a CD player) inside him, and a line of cassettes that help children with various illnesses, disabilities, and dealing with grief/trauma. I loved his shape, so I looked him up recently on google, found a used one without cassettes, and then found this video about the company that makes the bears, and the bear's "mission."
http://www.mnvideovault.org/mvvPlayer/c … opup=yes#0
It's amazing the number and variety of people these bears have helped! Terminally or chronically ill children, autistic or otherwise disabled children, children who have lost their parents, or who are struggling through divorce, hard-core prisoners, people in nursing homes. I'm sure most of us are long-time believers in the healing power of teddy bears, but this takes it to a whole new level. The only thing is- it looks like the company that made them has stopped production for some reason. They're available on eBay, but I haven't seen any for sale from websites. What a shame that something that has done so much good isn't readily available anymore.