Albinsim does not define us, but can challenge us!
The life stories of people with albinism are as diverse as they are from any other sector of the community. The stories below demonstrate that people with albinism live full and normal lives.
Facing challenges and overcoming difficulties because of albinism is to be expected, as are all the other challenges that everyone faces: puberty, marriage, parenting, career and retirement. The common thread of these stories is that albinism need not be a limiting or defining characteristic of one’s life.
Thank you to those who have shared their stories here – and perhaps some of you may care to contact webmaster@albinismaustralia.org with your own story (named or anonymously). Read, enjoy and be inspired!
Stories marked as (pdf) may download, the others will open a link in a new tab.
- ‘My road less travelled, Living with albinism and low vision.’ (pdf) by Rob McKrill
- The A-Word Video by Rob McKrill
- 2020 IAAD “Made to Shine” video by AFA
- My Life of Music (pdf) – by Marina Connelly (PWA)
- Tips for musicians with low vision (pdf)- by Melissa Baldwin (PWA)
- My Career as a recordist, mixer and producer, (pdf) – working across a vast array of genres and recording styles – Chris Doherty (PWA)
- Life is great! (pdf) by Ted Thomas, 2019. (PWA). Despite a lack of access and equity in both education and employment in the early years, life is great!
- So what if I have albinism, I just get on with it! – (pdf) by Julie Derrett (PWA).
- Amazing opportunities and experiences in modelling (pdf) Lucy and Sammy, PWA teens.
- Why are we all so different? (pdf) Just as our vision varies from one person to another, so do our life experiences and interests – Our albinism is our only connection!
- A model citizen and a committed volunteer – Erika Webb (PWA) (from VisAbility website May 2020)
- Our Paralympic champions – (pdf) 4 Aussie Belles and Chad Perris.
- A gratifying journey to acceptance, and personal and professional achievement. Doctor Shari Parker (PWA) a story from the UN About Albinism site.
- Personal and professional achievement – Dr. Shari Parker (PWA), a video from UN Human Rights Albinism Awareness Campaign.
- Poor posture and the need to correct it – Kane Perris (PWA) Sports and Recreation Officer at VisAbility WA. (from the VisAbility website Dec 2018)
- How I became a professor of astronomy A video prepared for an AFA conference – despite the vision problems associated with albinism – Professor Paul Delaney 2011.
- Living with Albinism – (pdf) Dr Shari Parker, PWA talks about the challenges she faces every day (from Australian Doctor 06/04/2007 Page: 35).
Paralympics Australia – meet our athletes
The following biographies and stories are from the Paralympics Australia website.
- Paralympian Perris shines the light on albinism
- Chad Perris (PWA 100m athlete)
- Jenny Blow (PWA Goalball)
- Meica Christensen (PWA Goalball)
- Tyan Taylor (PWA Goalball)
Stories from around the world
From the UN about albinism pages – Stories from those with albinism, (UN human Rights albinism awareness page).
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