My grandmother told me that my grandfather always ways grateful that he had albinism because he felt that brought him closer to the Lord. He had to rely on the Lord to give him the promptings he needed to take care of his farm, his family and in his community.
I know that having her milky white skin will be a challenge with the sensitivity she has to the sun. Sunscreen will be her lotion of necessity not choice.
Having low vision will make driving questionable but maybe not impossible for day time, short distances runs.
She may have to learn to let people know she can't read the words on the card reader to pay for things at the store.
She may have reservations at trying new things that a person with 20/20 vision wouldn't think twice about.
She may have to pick up items off a shelf and hold it a little closer to see what she is buying.
As she gets older she may pick out landmarks that she can see from a distance to make it to her classes.
She will learn to read braille and use a cane, to give her eyes a break and give her the confidence she may need in a new place where we can't be.
She will learn that she is a strong, beautiful, intelligent person.
She will learn that having low vision white hair the most amazing lavender colored eyes is just a small part of her not what makes her her.
She will learn that people don't stare because she is different but because she is radiant.
She will learn to love her God and be thankful for all of her challenges that will make her a strong and independent person.
She will learn that she has a family who will always stand beside her no matter what life will throw her way.
She will learn the most important things in this life is that her God loves her and she is his daughter and as such is a royal daughter who was given a unique role in this world.
My daughter is not blind and is not treated as such in our home. She is given the same choices as her sisters the same opportunities they got at her age. Some things may take more time but it will come. She is a brave strong independent child who knows her mind and what she wants. We feel as her parents that it is our job to guide her in developing those traits not hinder because of our fears as her parents. I knew the instant they held her up and I saw her glowing white hair in all the muck still on her that she was going to be a special little girl. We knew when the nurses and doctors came in to deliver the news that she was different her life would not be smooth sailing. But we decided that day holding our beautiful angle baby that Albinism would not define who she was going to be but only be a part of how she looks. She would not be raised hating that she was different than her sisters and brother, we would not hide her by coloring her hair or giving her make up at a young age allowing her to fit in to what society deems beautiful, those choices are hers to make not ours.
I wish with all my heart that she will be like my grandfather and be grateful for being born with albinism, not ashamed of it.
No comments:
Post a Comment