Albinism no deterrent

Sonia Kennedy-Brown inspiring men, women and children – Pt 2

MANDEVILLE, Manchester: LAST WEEK, we introduced to you the story of Sonia Kennedy-Brown, a woman who was ostracised, abused, and hated because of the pigmentation of her skin.

In her words, she felt like a “square peg in a round hole” and she battled with thoughts of whether or not her life would reflect any form of normalcy.

But she did overcome these hurdles; however, not without a fight.

“I remember reading a passage of Scripture stating that God knew me before He formed me and I was fearfully and wonderfully made. I got so upset with God because of how socially ostracised I was. I said, ‘God, if You knew me before You formed me, why make me like this?’ I felt it was His fault. You get so bitter, you start blaming God and then you get upset with yourself for blaming God.”

It was after a period of great depression that Kennedy-Brown cried out to God and told Him that she was refusing to continue living the way she was.

“The thought frightened me because it almost meant I wanted to die, and that was not where I wanted to be. That drove me to seek help. I had one counselling session from my minister, and this happened when I was in my 40s, so I had bottled up hurt for years.”

ROUGH PATCHES

Kennedy-Brown, who had migrated to Canada by that time, had many rough patches: being assaulted, yet again, and feeling deeply unloved and lonely. But she found inspirational books and a new zeal for life.

“I wanted to soar above what people thought I would be. Growing up, I had support from my family and a few friends – that is what has kept me. I also realised that where there is pain, there is healing.”

Even though he only lived for approximately seven years, after they were married, Kennedy-Brown’s husband added the topping to her healing process.

“I got married later in life, and he was so precious. I remember asking him if my albinism will affect him, and he said, ‘It’s not the paper that covers the package, but what’s inside the package that counts”. He thought I was the most beautiful rose out of my parents’ garden and he even said it at the wedding.”

She added, “Everybody has something within, and if we give them the opportunity to develop that something, there would be less pain in society. It’s not just the albino, it’s the one who’s deaf, abused in marriage, blind ... . ”

HER BOOK

And it is for this reason that the trained nurse with a master’s degree wrote a book with a hope to save many who are dying a slow death from the issues they are dealing with.

“Your pain doesn’t have to remain, God is a Healer, just put your pain in His hands.”

Kennedy-Brown has done many sensitivity-awareness campaigns, presentations at churches and schools across the globe, and may be contacted for these services at soniab47@msn.com or 416-992-0358.

Persons can also get her book Silent Tears: Growing up Albino, at amazon.com and at Fontana Pharmacy in Mandeville.