A baby girl with albinism was left behind by her parents because they thought she looked too “different.” They abandoned her at the entrance of an orphanage. It’s hard not to smile when you see her now.
Albinism is a rare genetic condition that affects people of all races and ethnicities around the globe. It leads to a reduced production of melanin, the pigment responsible for color in the skin, hair, and eyes, resulting in very light or even colorless features. Unfortunately, individuals with this condition often face stigma and are viewed as unusual, particularly in less developed regions.
Around 16 years ago, a girl with albinism was born in China. When her parents saw her pale skin, they chose not to bring her home. Tragically, she was placed in an orphanage just days after her birth. The staff, who named her Xueli, meaning snow white and beautiful, felt a deep sympathy for her. Little did they know that she would eventually be adopted by a caring family from the Netherlands, who would give her a wonderful life.
At the age of 11, Xueli caught the eye of a renowned photographer from Hong Kong, who invited her to participate in a campaign celebrating diverse beauty.
“She named the campaign ‘perfect imperfections’ and offered me a spot in her fashion show in Hong Kong,” Xueli Abbing shared during a BBC interview. “It was an incredible experience.”
In certain regions, there are beliefs that the bones of individuals with albinism possess healing properties, leading to tragic instances where some have been mutilated or had their limbs removed.
Understanding this, Xueli feels fortunate that her only hardship was being abandoned.
After her photos were shared on social media, a London-based photographer took Xueli under her wing, helping her land a spot on the cover of Vogue Italia for the June 2019 edition.
“At that moment, I didn’t realize how significant that magazine was, and it took me some time to understand why it made people so excited,” she reflected.
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“While there are still models who are extremely tall and slender, it’s wonderful to see more individuals with disabilities or unique traits represented in the media – but it should be the norm,” she expressed during the interview.
“Perhaps because my vision isn’t perfect, I pay more attention to people’s voices and their messages,” she shared. “To me, their inner beauty holds greater significance.”
Xueli is dedicated to raising awareness about individuals with albinism.
“I aim to use modeling as a platform to discuss albinism and emphasize that it’s a genetic condition, not a curse,” she explains. “It’s important to refer to someone as ‘a person with albinism’ rather than ‘an albino,’ as the latter can feel like it defines their entire identity.
“I refuse to accept that children are being killed because of their albinism. My goal is to make a difference in the world,” she expressed.
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