When Patricia Williams gave birth to her son Redd in 2012, she had no idea his white hair and pale features were signs of albinism. At first, the family thought Redd’s appearance was normal since both parents and their older son Gage were naturally blonde.
But at two months old, they noticed Redd’s eyes moved rapidly from side to side—a symptom that prompted a Google search and a visit to specialists.
Redd was diagnosed with Oculocutaneous Albinism Type 1 (OCA1), a rare genetic condition affecting pigmentation and vision.
Patricia initially struggled with the diagnosis, concerned about her son’s future and how society would treat him.
When her second son, Rockwell, was born in 2018 with the same condition, the family faced a new challenge—photos of the newborn went viral and were turned into cruel memes.
While deeply hurt, the family chose not to dwell on the negativity and instead became advocates for albinism awareness.
Despite early bullying, Redd adapted well after undergoing eye surgery for strabismus. His differences became less noticeable as he grew, and he integrated smoothly into public school life.
The family focused on educating others about albinism, correcting common myths like the belief that people with albinism have red eyes—they usually have light blue ones due to lack of pigment.
Today, both boys are healthy, thriving, and full of joy. Patricia continues to share their journey online, using their story to spread love, awareness, and acceptance for children with albinism.
