Albinism is a form of skin condition that is resulting in the absence of melatonin which causes light hair, skin lightening and even impaired vision. It was Balthazar Telez who first coined the word albino when he observed tribes residing on the west coasts of Africa. The condition affects 1 in 17000 people and is seen in almost every race of the world. Take a look at some stunning photographs of how albinism affects different people around the world.
In some parts of the world, Albinism is even considered a mark of ill fortune and a curse. The evil myths surrounding albinism has even caused thousands of innocent child deaths in the world which rarely go reported. Certain African cultures believe albino body parts to possess magical powers that can cure people from disease. This is what causes the deaths of thousands of albino children who are hunted for their bodies to be sold in various parts of the country.
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Another weird myth surrounding albinos in Africa is the belief that African women who delivered albino babies were impregnated by ghosts of white European colonists who lived in Africa.
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Diandre Forrest is the first Albino African American model to be signed on by a major modeling agency in the USA. She has been featured in several fashion magazines and has also walked the ramp for international brands.
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Because their skin does not provide enough protection from the sun, Albino people don’t live a long healthy life. Albino’s have a greater risk of cancer than normal people. They also suffer involuntary eye movement, multiple eye conditions and poor vision problems. The other problem is the social stigma of albinism especially in younger life.
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This is another albino model Chihiro from Japan who is quite famous as a social figure. Incidentally, the novel Moby Dick written by Herman Melville was based on a true life whale called Mocha Dick. The sperm whale inhabited the area off Mocha Island in Chile and was known for having survived several attacks by fighting men off.
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Azfar Firdaus is from Malaysia. The Albino gene is a mutation passed down to children from both parents. On a worldwide scale, it is found in 1 in 3000 people. In USA albinism affects 1 in 20,000 people.
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Nariyana from Sakha republic Russia has blonde hair and porcelain skin but belongs to a black-haired family. She has been approached by several modeling agencies but her family has refused as she is only 8 years old.
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Albinos synthesize vitamin D faster than normal people. Vitamin D is produced when UV light from the sun enters the skin. In the absence of melanin, UV light enters easily and vitamin D is produced at a greater rate in Albinism.
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Albinism Europe is an organization run by Albinos that seeks to dispel the myths surrounding albinism. It also provides a forum for those afflicted with the condition to unite for more support.
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Shaun Ross is an American, actor and dancer who became the first albino international model. He is an anti-bullying activist and has also done fashion assignments for major brands worldwide.
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Yulffi is another worldwide figure afflicted with albinism. The most common form of albinism is Oculocutaneous albinism that gives the appearance of totally white hair that lasts lifelong from birth. There is another milder form of albinism in which the person’s skin begins to darken as they age.
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This is how albinism affects people around the world. In Kenya, Albinos are hunted down by witchdoctors funded by rich politicians in the region. It is believed that albinism can also bring good luck. As a result, several children are reported hunted and even killed because of such widespread myths in Africa.
The Main skin cell that causes albinism is the melanocyte that gives skin its color and appearance. In albinism, the cell undergoes genetic mutations that then obstruct the process of skin pigmentation and the skins ability to distribute keratinocytes. There is no treatment for albinism and people afflicted with it have to take lifestyle precautions such as skin treatments, supplementation and keeping out of the sun at all times.
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