Attitude - with a Capital "A"!

I guess the biggest aid in dealing with albinism is attitude. It can be a comfort, a weapon, a tool and it helps gain a bit of perspective! Here are my views on having an attitude that works for you not against you.

Odds are... just that - odd!

People ask me if I ponder the question "Why Me?" - I can honestly say I don't, my view is "Why NOT Me?". Even the rarest of events have to affect somebody, just because only about 1 in 17,000 people in our country get albinism - that's still one person somewhere out of just 17,000. I've been lucky enough to get to meet others who are the 1 in some other 17,000 people. All statistics are real people. Why DIDN'T I have full albinism? Why DIDN'T my son? At least now the odds of winning first prize in a lottery look a lot more achievable! Forget the 'Why Me's unless you want to think about why you are so fortunate to live in a prosperous country with good health, enough to eat and safe drinking water. Some things aren't ours for the choosing - Que cera, cera...

Perspective

Let's face it no matter how despairing you find albinism you cannot deny you are infinitely better off than some others. Even through my seemingly limited dealings with people of all walks of life, I so very much appreciate how lucky we truly are. And for the many, many more people out there whose challenges make ours look so insignificant - I so admire you. 'Walking a mile in others' shoes' would do us all a favour occasionally and open our eyes to true courage and spirit. But no matter how often you might remind yourself of this you can't expect to always feel grateful!

There ARE Great times

I can assure you that forever more there will be days of sorrow, despair and disappointments. You will feel helpless, despondent and weepy. Expect these feelings, they are normal. BUT... I absolutely guarantee you that there will be a great many more times of pride, joy, achievement and love. You will feel hopeful, elated, grateful and blessed. Albinism is not a tragedy, its more a challenge, or even a journey.

For every closed door is an open window

Like any other challenge or adversity in life it is through struggles that we are taught the most valuable lessons and achieve our most special rewards. When you focus on adapting to overcome obstacles or finding a way around them instead of despising them that you can make your progresses. 'Go with the flow' instead of letting it wash you away.

Anger - - - - > Humour

One question I find most ironic is why most people revere animals with albinism as so special and unique but can make people with albinism feel so socially outcast! Is it less acceptable to be a person with less common colouring than it is a rabbit or lion?? You see so many negative stereotypical portrayals of people with albinism in the media, for some reason Hollywood loves an evil, villainous albino. You can easily explode with the insensitivity and stupidity of people who can be so cruel to anyone who is different from 'normal'. My answer: HUMOUR!!! If you can't have some humour everything is so very much harder. Find the funny side of whatever you can. See my section on 'Dumb things people say'.

Life changing experiences

Without our albinism we would not have had a great many positive things come into our lives. So many fantastic experiences we might have either missed or not taken special notice of, so many wonderful people that we may never have met otherwise and so much incentive to get out there and make the most of everything we can. Every cloud has a silver lining.

The Future looks Great

Honestly our Alana having albinism was unexpected and has certainly presented us with some lifestyle modifications and extra challenges but in the grand scale of things it ain't so bad. I often feel a bit oblivious to Alana's albinism, maybe it just fades into the background a little as I focus on the wonders of watching my child grow up. I think of her as perfect... with crappy eyesight. Much as I would do anything to give her perfect vision - I think she's perfect as she is and certainly don't wish to change her for my own benefit.

I look forward to watching Alana grow up and meet her challenges head-on (I don't for a minute underestimate that there are tough and awful days ahead) but already she is a very intelligent and determined young lady and together as a family we will do whatever it takes to deal with it all together. Its not about Alana having albinism - our family has albinism.