vMany parents enjoy capturing adorable photos of their newborns and sharing them with others, and Patricia Williams was no exception. She adored her son and loved taking pictures of him, but when she shared these images, she received some unexpected reactions.
Patricia gave birth to her son, Redd, in 2012. Although he was born with white hair, it wasn’t until he was two months old that his mother began to notice something unusual.
To understand why Redd’s eyes would move from side to side, Patricia’s husband, Dale, did some research online. They were shocked to learn that this could be a sign of albinism. Patricia, unfamiliar with the condition, wasn’t sure what to think at first. However, Redd displayed all the classic symptoms of albinism: light skin, white hair, and eyes that shifted back and forth.
The couple decided to seek professional advice from an optometrist and genetic specialists, who confirmed that Redd had Oculocutaneous Albinism Type 1 (OCA1), a rare condition that affects approximately 1 in 17,000 people worldwide.
Patricia recalled the excitement at the hospital when Redd was born. Everyone was charmed by his blue eyes and white hair. At the time, Patricia didn’t think much of it, as she, her husband, and their first child, Gage, all had blonde hair.
A month after bringing Redd home, Patricia began noticing his bright white hair shining in the sunlight. Redd would continue to gaze at things without turning away, even when his mother tried to shield his eyes. His eyes, which were a striking blue, sometimes appeared red in certain lighting.
Initially, Patricia thought these unique features would fade over time, but it became clear when her second son was born with the same characteristics that this would be a permanent part of their family.
In February 2018, Patricia and Dale welcomed their second son, Rockwell, who had the same condition as his older brother. Unfortunately, photos of Rockwell from the day he was born were turned into cruel memes on social media.
Redd also faced teasing at school because of his appearance, but his older brother Gage always defended him. The family, well aware of albinism, had prepared for such challenges, but they were caught off guard by the online mockery of Rockwell’s photos.
At first, Patricia and Dale tried to get the images removed, but quickly realized they had no control over the situation. Instead, they chose to ignore the negativity.
The news that Redd had albinism left Patricia feeling upset, but it also motivated her and her husband to become advocates for the condition. They hoped to raise awareness so that other children with albinism wouldn’t face the same bullying.
Worried about how their children would be treated, Patricia also had concerns about the challenges of raising a child who could easily get sunburned and might have vision problems.
Patricia emphasized that Rockwell’s appearance was unique, noting that his hair stood straight up, making it even more noticeable. She made sure to highlight his individuality and beauty.
As pictures of her son went viral, many people began to ask her about albinism, which made Patricia realize how little people knew about the condition. She understood that most people’s knowledge was limited to portrayals in movies, which often didn’t accurately depict albinism. This gave her a chance to educate the public.
After undergoing surgery to correct his crossed eyes, Redd switched from a private school for children with visual impairments to a regular public school. This decision was a positive one for Redd’s health and well-being.
To avoid drawing attention to his condition, Redd didn’t wear an eye patch, choosing instead to have the surgery. As he grew older, his peers began to care less about his differences.
Like many children, Redd enjoyed playing outside, but he had to take extra precautions, such as wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. His younger brother, Rocky, also adapted well to his own condition.
On April 28, 2023, Patricia shared a video of Rockwell participating in his school’s “Western Day” event. This time, social media users responded with admiration, calling him “adorable” and “cute.”
Patricia also clarified a common misconception about albinism, explaining that people with the condition don’t have red eyes, as often portrayed in media, but rather light blue eyes due to a lack of pigment.
The Williams family’s journey has been filled with challenges, but they continue to thrive, and their story serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and accepting differences. Feel free to share this inspiring story with your friends – they’ll surely be touched by it!