NOAH AOC

Before I begin let me just say this is not aimed at anyone in particulair.

That being said I don't know about anyone else but I am sooooooo tired of seeing all these posts and allt hese things on tv of people simply complaining about having albinism at how its ruined their lives and how it's just made them so depressed!!! These things frustrate me because I myself am a 20 year old female with albinsim and I know what its like to be in the same situations as everyone else and I just feel like people create their own worlds.

What I mean by people creating their own world is I honestly feel like if you have self confidence and are a friendly person and you don't make your albinism a huge issue no one else will either. Do people make fun and tease?? Heck yes but they would do that if someones hair was too curly when its in style for it to be straight. Bottom line is people make fun and tease when things aren't normal thats just how the world goes. Am I saying you shouldn't be upset or hurt by peoples words? not neccesarily but you shouldn't take them so seriusly just let them roll off your back be confident in who you are dont let others define you. No one wants to hang around someone who is depressed and doesn't like themselves because that just puts a damper on anytime spent together. I see my albinsim as a great gift it has taught me patience and persistance because I can't always do things the same way as everyone else but there is a way to do them. It has taught me to respect other people and thier feelings because I know what its like to be made fun of.So start living life its not meant to be easy all the time Lord knows I have had my struggles but I have lots to show for it I am working a good job am in school and am engaged to be married. So for everyone who thinks albinism has ruined their life think again it is possible to be happy and life a very normal life despite having albinism. Just my two cents Sorry if anyone has been offended I just get frustrated when people complain about something that I see as a great gift.

God Bless

Anna 20 GA

Congratulations on your success and happiness Anna.  I hope that my son will follow in your footsteps.

I have to agree that as a pigmento I was the girl who was new to town and who's parent's did have so much money growing up and I was the target of many jokes.  People who have nothing better to do will always point out anyone who is not like them. 

I can't speak for everyone on the boards, but I see no reason for you to apologize for anything you said.

 

Well said Anna :)

 

God bless,

Megan

good call Anna

 

 I dont look at it as too many "sob stories" I feel like sometimes I just need to vent to someone who relates. So when I come on site and I read someone's sad story , it makes me feel better knowing I am not the only one and that my feeelinmgs are not wierd. I think we all ned a "safe" place where we can be real without fear of being judged. For example this weekend I had a really nasty experience. I thought I had learnt to deal with the stares from people etc. but I realized deep down it still gets to me. It's not everyday that I break down but I am grateful that when I need someone who can relate I can come on site.It is a BIG challenge living with Albinism.

Anna, First off, congrats on everything with your life! And I totally agree with you on thinking positive. As Kryss said, many people use this board as a place to vent and let out their feelings. They need someone like you to tell them that it will be ok! I remember being in junior high and feeling really down on myself, especially because kids are really mean. It took accepting my different looks and poor vision, and allowing to talk to others about it to make me more positive. That actually came from coming to this forum when I was 13, and seeing many more sad people with albinism to realize that it was ok to be who i am. Some people here, and on these tv shows, having found that point in their lives yet. I agree that on some of these shows they were focused towards younger people with albinism. I think it was the 20/20 special that had a girl change her looks to feel better, and a boy in junior high who wasn't happy either. The media kinda pulls these stories out to educate others that, this condition is Hard to live with! But a year later on this 20/20 episode they showed the girl happier, and the boy totally accepting of his appearance and having goals and loving life. It was great! But I also agree, that they need to have more people on these specials saying "it's ok to be extra white!" or "heck I make fun of my vision everyday!" (because i do! If i can't accept it and be comfortable with who i am, how are others around me going to feel ok being around someone "different". And how can I educate someone on albinism if they are too nervous to ask me about it, I'll just tell them!) SO yeah, totally understandable! Lets keep the positive going, and maybe the next time the media wants to talk with someone with albinism, we should contact them instead! haha :) ~Megs

I agree. I'm also 20 and my philosophy is that albinism is really only an issue if you let it be. Now I'm not saying that it doesn't make your life a little more difficult, there are definately things that it's affected in my life, but I can still do things just in a different way from most. If you ahve the attitude of I am who I am and I don't care what anybody else thinks about that, it's a lot easier to deal with people's comments and looks, just ignore them or answer any questions they have. They treat you a lot better when they understand what albinism actually is.

Hi hun

Congratulations to you for the engagement - I hope it all goes well.  I just wanted to say that forums like this should be open to people who want to discuss problems they're having and it may be that interviews in the media are edited to focus on the negatives to have more impact, so I don't really like to judge. 

I too live my life as genuinely as I can - not just putting on a front of positivity (seriously, been there done that and it aint healthy) - because there is no point in trying to fake something you don't feel.  I found friends and a partner who are very supportive and this forum has given me the world of confidence because I now know I'm not crazy and alone in my issues which is how I felt for the most part of my life. 

I do think we should post more positive things on forums too - it would be great to read some of those experiences.  But I don't want to discourage people from posting about their feelings - that may alienate someone going through a rough patch.

Hope that all made sense

Ket

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