There Is Nothing Superstitious About Persons Living With Albinisim

Albinism is a rare condition where there is an absolute absence or very little amount of melanin in the body. It commonly results in the little or lack of melanin pigment in the hair, skin, and eyes of a Person with Albinism (PWA). This makes them susceptible to the sun which causes skin cancer if they do not protect their skin from the rays of the sun with sunscreens and protective clothes. Albinism is purely a genetic disorder, nothing more nothing less. Albinism occurs when both parents donate an Albinism gene which is passed on to their child. This is possible even if they are both dark-skinned. This is to say that, if both parents do not donate the albinism gene, it is never possible to have a child with the condition. Two dark-skinned partners can have a child with Albinism as far as they have the gene in them from as far back as the 5th generation. Dark skins might carry the Albinism gene but it doesn’t make them a person living Albinism. Albinism occurs worldwide irrespective of ethnicity or gender.

Albinism comes in two types known as Ocular Albinism and Oculocutaneous Albinism.

Ocular albinism affects the eyes with minimal to no skin involvement where as oculocutaneous  albinism affects both the skin and the eyes. The skin appears whiter, hair looks golden as well as the retina of the eyes look really light. 

Calling a Persons with Albinism(PWA) an Albino, Ofiri, Gyato ,etc is perceived as derogatory by Persons living with the condition. It is preferable that they are referred to as Persons with Albinism just because it doesn’t seem right calling someone by their deficiency.

Quite a number of false information have been circulated and it seems the society has embraced them. The most common of these myths are “Persons with Albinism should not take salt because it causes  dark spot on their skin. Wrong! Prolonged exposure of the body to the sun causes the spots.”, “Persons with Albinism can’t see in the afternoon. This is false. Their eyes are very sensitive which makes them squint when exposed to bright lights. “Persons with Albinism are punishment from the gods. No! A child is a gift from God. , “Persons with Albinism do not die, they just vanish. False! They are humans and die like every other human. They do not have supernatural powers to vanish. This group has been a target of abduction in line with rituals. To die naturally as a person with albinism is considered a luxury. Buried bodies of Persons 

Albinism is exhumed by ritualists because they believe the body parts of a Person living with Albinism can make them rich. 

Albinism is not contagious. You cannot get “infected with” Albinism by staying close to a person with Albinism, doing business with them, or by rubbing the stomach of a pregnant woman. 

Let’s stop the discrimination. Keep learning about the condition and share it with your family and friends. Treat Persons with Albinism the way you want to be treated. The next time you see a Person with Albinism exposing their body to the sun. Let them know they ought to cover their skin to stay healthy and productive.

Persons with Albinism do not need to be pitied, they need to be understood and loved.

Happy International Albinism Awareness Day to all Persons living with Albinism. #Unitedinmakingourvoiceheard