Utah resident Patricia Williams, who was 43 years old at the time, had four children, two of whom were born with a condition called albinism, which affects their skin, hair, and eye color. Patricia, who worked as a fashion designer, felt devastated when she shared adorable photos of her baby boy, Rockwell, who also had albinism, on social media.
Sadly, some individuals on social media with malicious intent stole those photos and turned them into hurtful memes that quickly spread across the internet. Patricia’s second son, Redd, born in August 2012, caught her attention when he was just two months old due to some distinct characteristics.
Redd’s eyes constantly moved from side to side, which worried Patricia and her husband, Dale Williams, who was 45 years old at the time. They decided to search online for information about this unusual behavior. After some research, Dale discovered that Redd had a condition called albinism, a term Patricia was not familiar with. This led Patricia to ask Dale what exactly albinism meant.
Dale observed that Redd had common signs of albinism, such as pale skin, white hair, and eyes that moved rapidly. Patricia was initially skeptical and questioned whether people with albinism really had red eyes.
Concerned about their son’s condition, Patricia and Dale consulted with eye doctors and genetic specialists, who confirmed that Redd had a specific type of albinism called Oculocutaneous Albinism Type one (OCA1). They learned that this condition is quite rare, affecting only one in every 17,000 people worldwide.
When Redd was born, he had blue eyes and white hair, which caught the attention of the nurses who affectionately referred to him as the “baby with the white hair.” At first, Patricia and Dale didn’t think much of it since their oldest son, Gage, along with both parents, had blonde hair. So having a child with a similar shade of blonde didn’t seem unusual to them.
As Redd grew older, Patricia noticed that his hair became even whiter, shining brightly in the sunlight. She also observed that his eyes continued to move rapidly, even when she tried to block their movement. Sometimes, certain lighting made his eyes appear red.
Despite these noticeable differences, Patricia brushed off these traits, assuming that Redd would eventually outgrow them. However, when Rockwell was born with albinism as well, the family faced a different response from the outside world. Instead of acceptance and understanding, both boys became targets of ridicule and exclusion.
In February 2018, Rockwell’s arrival brought with it a wave of mockery as his photos were shared on social media. The hurtful memes targeted his hair color, and one particular meme captioned a photo of the infant with a derogatory statement. This negative attention deeply affected the family.
Tragically, Redd had already experienced bullying and teasing at school due to his skin color and unique appearance. This prompted his older brother, Gage, to become protective of him. With the birth of Rockwell, Patricia and Dale were better prepared to face the challenges, but they were disheartened when their youngest son’s images became viral memes.
Despite their efforts to ask people to remove the hurtful posts, Patricia and Dale realized they had little control over the situation. Determined to make a positive impact, they decided to become advocates for raising awareness about albinism. Their hope was to create a more inclusive and understanding society where children with albinism would no longer be subjected to bullying or teasing.
Upon receiving Redd’s official diagnosis of albinism, Patricia felt shocked and emotional. She worried about how he would be treated, what his future would hold, and how
Patricia Williams’ story teaches us some important lessons:
One lesson is the importance of staying strong in tough times. Despite her sons facing hurtful comments and bullying, Patricia didn’t let it bring her down. Instead, she used those challenges as a chance to make things better and create a more inclusive world.
Another lesson is the value of educating others and raising awareness. Patricia realized that many people didn’t understand albinism and had wrong ideas about it. So, she shared her family’s experiences to help people learn the truth and be more understanding.
Having supportive family and friends is also crucial. Patricia’s older son, Gage, protected his brother, showing how important it is to have loved ones who stand by you. Their support created a safe and loving environment where Redd and Rockwell could grow happily.
Lastly, speaking up and taking action can make a positive difference. Patricia and her husband, Dale, became advocates for albinism awareness. They used their voices and social media to spread the word, hoping to stop discrimination and bullying.
In short, Patricia Williams teaches us to stay strong, educate others, value support, and make a difference. Her story inspires us to stand up against unfairness, correct misunderstandings, and build a world where everyone feels accepted.
