‘Albinism is not a disease’ – Ashley Phillips
Ashley shared she has suffered bullying in school due to her condition, which almost broke her.
Amid of the myths about albinism and the stares she get from community members, Ashley Phillips, who is living with albinism, has chosen to remain true to herself and not let her skin colour define her.
With September being Albinism Awareness Month, the Advertiser spoke to the 13-year-old ,from Ramaphosa who clearly has a lot of self-confidence.
Speaking about some of the challenges she has encountered, Ashley shared she has suffered bullying in school due to her condition, which almost broke her.
“Things were quite bad when I was in grades one to six and I started hurting
myself to express my frustration. I didn’t even tell my mother, I just
kept quiet. Things are better now because my classmates have accepted me
for who I am.”
She said being a victim of bullying has taught her to not bottle things up but to express herself and voice her opinion.
Ashley, who lives and breathes music, said she wants to be a paediatrician so she can share her love and care for children.
Her mother’s experience
Her 29-year-old mother, Lezley-Anne Walters, said she fell pregnant when she was 16 years old.
She said when nurses gave Ashley to her, she got a bit confused due to the colour of her daughter’s hair, which was reddish.
“The nurse told me my child has albinism and she explained what it was. What was going through my mind at that time was what were people going to say, but my main concern was the father of my child who had already said it was not his child.”
Walters said when her mother, Lee-Anne Phillips, came to see the child, she put her mind at ease and said she shouldn’t care what people will say because a child is a blessing.
“She told me on her family’s side, there are relatives who have albinism.”
Walters shared that when Ashley was a year old, people would stare at her when she walked with her.
“Some misconceptions that people had was that I was bewitched or did something wrong to someone. Others would directly ask why my child was ‘different’. People would touch her while others would make funny comments and others would consider her as a lucky charm by giving her money, believing they’ll be lucky.”
Ashley’s grandmother said they love her to the moon and back and they don’t treat her differently because she’s not different.
Meanwhile, Ashley’s mother is part of a group that offers support for mothers with children who have albinism.
“Raising a child with albinism is a bit expensive because we have to buy sunscreen, and not just any brand. If anyone would assist us with sunscreen and spectacles for her, we will be happy. Anyone who would like to assist us can contact us on 076 698 1907.”
Her advice to mothers: “The first few stages after giving birth are very difficult, but don’t lose hope. Don’t doubt yourself by thinking you are a failure because you have given birth to a child with albinism. Children are a blessing from God, let us love and cherish them.”
Also Read: A different kind of family – overcoming albinism
Also Read: Conference creates awareness around albinism
