Albinism is a genetic condition resulting in little or no pigmentation in the skin hair and eyes, causing persons to be much lighter resulting in many forms of discrimination against them. Although Albinos have been around for centuries in many countries, their condition has been misunderstood.

In African countries, there are many superstitious beliefs surrounding albinos, leading them to be mutilated and murdered. There have been countless documentaries trying to raise awareness and sensitize the public about albinism, as well as to help in the fight against the persecution of albinos.

Grenada joins in solidarity with the rest of the world as they observe International Albinism Awareness Day on 13 June 2018. Although there aren’t reports of any albinos being murdered in Grenada, they have been discriminated against in different ways. Therefore, in an effort to get a more in-depth look at the life of someone who is an albino living in Grenada, the Barnacle News Team spoke to Ms Sherry Hamlet; a young, active and talented lady.

Growing up in a world filled with varying personalities and characters is no easy task, especially for someone living with albinism. Although Sherry has other siblings, she was the only one born with albinism, and, according to her, albinism hasn’t been in her family for generations. “Guess I’m that rare spice.”

As a child, Sherry was always an extravert and it took her years to fully understand how different she was from everyone else. She was bullied, yelled at, laughed at and treated quite badly by some, at times she even got into fist fights defending herself.  But, thankfully, I was extremely blessed, however to have vocal and supportive parents and to make very very good and supportive friends early in life – most of these wonderful people remain in my life in some shape or form up to this day.”

Understanding what it is like to live with albinism can be very thought-provoking. For those reading Sherry’s story, you would get to appreciate human beings for who they are as individuals, especially when you listen to the burdens that persons have put upon them for simply being different.

Sherry’s condition makes it difficult for her to see and read properly, but with the assistance of her friends, who let her take notes from their notebooks, helped her get around the city after school and even helped out with reading prices at the grocery stores and restaurants, she was able to get around. “My friends have never made me feel any less than I am, only ugly-spirited people have tried that,” Sherry added. The difficulty she faces when it comes to her sight has costed her friends, but that does not fade this young woman’s light. She continues to shine, as she stated, “as an adult, I have learned to only waste worry on the things you can control and I can’t control how uninformed people feel about me.”

It’s one thing to be teased by children, but to be teased by adults, now that would make anyone feel even worse. “I was teased and treated badly by both adults and other children all throughout my life. It took me a long time to understand how differently people saw me. When you’re born into a body and it’s the only body you have, as a child it really is all you know, so there isn’t much reason for you to think that there is something wrong with it until external forces start demanding there is.”

Sadly enough, as Sherry reminisced on her childhood days, she spoke of a teacher who called her names and laughed at her when she walked into the room. But, luckily, she also had other teachers who took time with her and helped her to make sure she learned. “I grew up with children who screamed and ran away because they turned around and saw me and I grew up with children who let me place my hand on their shoulder every afternoon for years so I didn’t continue to walk into pot holes. I grew up with people in authority who told me they would never trust ‘someone like me’ to do my job and I grew up with people in authority that pushed me out of my comfort zone. I had parents who didn’t always understand how hard things were for me and why they were hard but who also reminded me that I was amazing and could do just about any amazing thing I wanted and I believed them.” This combination of good and bad experiences has definitely helped shape Sherry into the woman she is today.

So, what is life like now for Sherry? Yes, she still experiences discrimination. But this now 31-year-old writer, blogger and advocate, now understands so much more about herself and albinism that things are becoming so much easier. Things like skin cancer scares her, but she remains determined. She has completed her first degree at the University of the West Indies (UWI), and has “pretty much chased and caught most of my dreams so far.” Sherry is filled with creative blood and genes and is known as a big dreamer and is currently in search of a publisher for her books. Eventually she is hoping to pursue her second degree. “God has richly blessed me with the success of many of my dreams, talents, a stable source of employment and a life full of people I love [and] who love me back regardless of what I look like on any given day.”

Sherry’s adult life is no walk in the park despite all of her achievements. Persons who don’t understand or refuse to understand her condition still yell filthy things on the streets, some shop owners get mad when she asks for help when as she can’t see certain prints properly. But, she persists. “I persist because I’m not going anywhere. I have just as much right to a happy life as you do and I don’t intend to act or let anyone else act otherwise.” She decided that she needed to play her part and be present in the conversation about albinism. “I talk about it now because it’s just another part of who I am as a person and I wasn’t born ashamed of it, so I’m not going to be bullied into shame either.”

More and more, Sherry is becoming comfortable speaking about albinism. This was not easy. “As a person with a visual disability this was something that was so very difficult for me, as my independence is extremely important to me…I used to make it a small almost shameful part of myself, hide it away because it was always so much in the spotlight [but] I could never really get away from it.” Understandably, people only saw Sherry’s albinism, but as she matured she learned that ignorance makes people say and do ugly things, and so she used the said spotlight to speak out. “I wanted to make sure that the next generation of children with albinism were informed as early as possible. I still fight to make sure they don’t have to repeat the pains and challenges due to ignorance that I had to overcome.” As Sherry journeys on her path of public awareness she joins forces with various organizations including the St Andrew’s Leo Club and some primary schools. She’s even relayed her experiences of success and hardships and how she overcame them to children with albinism as well as their parents.

“I remember my mother saying to me when I was younger a popular quote ‘When you walk into a room people will always be looking at you so make sure you give them something GOOD to look at.’ I decided I would give them something real good to look at: honesty, bravery and success regardless of struggle and disability.”

There are a few people in Grenada who are living with albinism. But one of Sherry’s most memorable experiences was when she travelled to the United States to attend a conference of the National Organization for Albinism and Hyper Pigmentation in 2016. This changed her life forever. “It rendered me speechless seeing all these children, happy and free to run around in an environment made accessible to them. I met people with albinism from every race and from different continents who shared my struggles and who could offer coping resources I could use to be more successful.” It was then, and only then Sherry understood the importance of positive representation.

Her interaction with other Grenadians with albinism is limited, but according to her, she has only met one who was self aware enough to not feel threatened when talking about the condition. “I think it is really hard for a lot of people because humanity has this desperate need to feel accepted [as] we acquaint acceptance with love and value.”

Despite the fact that Sherry remains open to speak about her condition, there still are some challenges. In an era where information is accessible and almost always readily available, some persons choose to remain ignorant about albinism. Imagine, in 2018 there are some parents who actually believe that their child who was born with albinism is as a result of them being cursed.

Sherry is now employed as an English and Literature Teacher attached to the Resource Centre for the Blind. Here, she shines even brighter, as she continues to chase even bigger dreams.

When questioned about what advice she would give to young persons living with albinism, Sherry stated three main things, always wear sunblock (SPF 80 and up), “you can chase almost any dream you have once you’re willing to put in the extra work…and lastly, you are amazing and beautiful/handsome.” In this day and age, a person’s physical attributes a fleeting, and the concepts of beauty in the world continue to change. “Inner beauty never fades though, so go forth and be amazing. It’s going to get hard a lot but if you stay motivated and keep going, keep pushing past your own doubt and the doubt of everyone around you, at some point in your life you can do it.”

These few words of encouragement can go a long way for those who can comprehend the severity of the challenges faced by persons living with albinism. But, Sherry’s advice doesn’t end there. She wants the public to know that “the colour of a person’s skin is not what makes them beautiful or worthy of love and you never ever let your words and actions convey that to anyone…evil persists when good men and women do nothing. If you see someone being assaulted, do something, if you see someone being taken advantage of say something. Ask if someone wants help, don’t just impose yourself on anyone.”  Patience is something that some persons just don’t have and this is something that is greatly needed. Shopkeepers and persons at restaurants are also asked to exercise patience. “Also, one printed menu at fast food places would be really appreciated,” Sherry added.

Generally, everyone faces challenges in life, some more than others. Looking at Sherry’s life, she had it rough, but has managed to push and overcome most of her struggles. Her efforts to continue to raise public awareness about albinism, must be applauded, as it takes a brave individual to dare to make that change. Today, 13 June as the world observes albinism, persons are asked to learn at least one thing about the condition, and share it with someone else. Speak to someone living with albinism, hear his or her story. As simple and trivial as it may seem, you might be surprised what you will learn. Just as Sherry is making strides so can we.