Albinism is not a disability

PEOPLE living with albinism say they are not disabled and must be treated as equals with those that are not suffering from the problem.

Zimbabwe Albino Mission Trust spokesman Mr Terrence Ngwenya said many people think albinism is some form of disability.

The organisation was formed to advocate for the rights of people living with albinism and debunk the myth that people affected by the condition are disabled.

“We should not be treated as disabled people because we are not, we should just deal with issues that affect us and also to send out the correct information about people with albinism because there are still misconceptions,” said Mr Ngwenya.

Mr Ngwenya said many people have the misconception that people with albinism are poor.

“People assume that we are after donations only of lotions and sunglasses but there is more that affects us than this. We are still shunned in many areas as people do not understand how we came to being. We are still called names and some do it innocently because they do not know,” he said.

He said children in schools face the most discrimination as their peers do not know about the condition.

He said he was once a victim of discrimination.

“When I was at school, teachers would let me sit in the shade because they did not want me to “burn” in the sun while others did manual work. What they did not know was that I could do all things like my peers, I just needed a sun hat. So such knowledge should be made known to teachers. Learners on the other hand have names they called students with albinism because there is little knowledge in schools about the condition,” said Mr Ngwenya.

He said his organisation is raising awareness and ensuring that people appreciate people living with albinism first before even looking at the medical aspect.

“Children are still being hidden in many households because there are misconceptions regarding this condition but it is not fair for children with albinism to be left out in education and socialising with their peers because of their skin. People need awareness,” he said.

Albinism is an inherited genetic condition that reduces the amount of melanin pigment formed in the skin, hair and or eyes.