In today’s digital age, many parents are eager to seize the opportunity to capture and share their newborn’s early moments, filling social media platforms with precious images and precious memories. Patricia Williams, a loving mother like many others, embarked on a similar journey when her son arrived in 2012. But the innocent act of posting pictures of her son took an unexpected turn, leading to a remarkable and inspiring journey that will challenge not only society’s norms but also serve as a beacon of hope and awareness in the face of adversity.
Many parents want to take photos of their newborns and post them online.
Many parents today are eager to document their children’s early moments and share them on social media, trying to capture the fleeting joys of childhood and create lasting memories. Patricia Williams was no exception; she too wanted to share the sweetness of her son’s arrival with friends and family. Little did she know that the seemingly ordinary act of posting pictures of her son would take an unexpected turn and lead to a remarkable journey.
In 2012, Patricia gave birth to her son, Redd. At first, he looked like any other newborn, but as the days turned into weeks, Patricia noticed something special about her baby boy – he had strikingly white hair. It wasn’t until Redd was two months old that she began to notice other unique features that set him apart from other babies.
Her husband, Dale, was the first to suspect that there might be something different about their son. He noticed that Redd’s eyes exhibited side-to-side movements, a characteristic associated with albinism. Determined to learn more, Dale set out to find the cause of these eye movements. His research led him to realize that Redd exhibited all the classic signs of albinism, which included not only white hair but also pale skin and distinctive eye movements.
The next step for the couple was to seek a formal diagnosis by visiting an optometrist and geneticist. It was discovered that Redd suffered from oculocutaneous albinism type 1 (OCA1), a condition that affects 1 in 17,000 people worldwide.
Patricia recalls the excitement that permeated the hospital staff when Redd was born – everyone was looking forward to seeing the baby with blue eyes and white hair.
Despite this, Patricia didn’t seem to mind as she, her husband, and their firstborn child Gage all sported light hair at the moment.
She remembered noticing that Redd’s hair was shiny on her son a month after they brought him home due to its extreme whiteness.
She might try to look away from him, but he didn’t look away; his eyes would follow her. He also had incredibly blue eyes that glowed crimson in certain light.
Patricia did not realize her son’s condition was permanent until her second son was born, despite her belief that he would outgrow the features.
In February 2018, Rockwell was born, sharing the illness of his older sibling. Images of a newborn baby boy were stolen by social media users who then used them to make offensive memes. Redd also experienced bullying at school due to his unusual appearance.
His older brother Gage began to look out for him as a result. But because Rockwell’s parents knew about albinism when he was born, they were prepared for anything. However, little did they know that the photos of their little boy would go viral.
After Dale and Patricia realized that it would be impossible to convince everyone who had shared the photo to remove it, they decided to simply ignore the whole situation.
They decided to take on the role of advocates for raising awareness of this issue to stop bullying children with disabilities because they are different. Patricia was not happy when the specialists discovered that Redd was an albino.
If they had a child who burned easily and eventually went blind, she worried how the child would be treated in life because of their differences and how their family dynamics would change.
She explained the attention Rockwell was attracting. She continued: “It’s very unusual to see a child with white hair and Rockwell’s hair sticks straight up, so it’s very noticeable.”
When pictures of her son became a viral meme, she gained a significant following. She soon discovered that few people were aware of albinism when she began to receive questions about her son’s appearance.
She realized that most of the knowledge people had about albinism came from obscure movies that included almost no representation. As a result, she thought she had a unique chance to spread awareness about albinism.
After eye surgery to correct his strabismus, Redd transferred from a special school for blind children to a public school. The treatment was a smart decision for the family as Redd benefited greatly from it.
Believing that Redd would stand out even more and attract more attention if he wore the blindfold, they decided not to. As Redd got older, his friends began to notice his ‘differences’ less and less.
Redd was just like any other kid, except he could play outside without any special equipment—all he needed was a hat, some dark shades, and sunscreen. Like Redd, Rockwell, his younger brother, achieved success.
On April 28, 2023, Patricia shared a heartwarming video of Rockwell participating in his school’s “Western Day.” This time, the response on social media was overwhelmingly positive, with the young child receiving love and support from countless individuals. Comments poured in, with many describing Rockwell as “cute” and “adorable.”
Patricia pointed out that there is a common misconception about individuals with albinism having red eyes. In fact, they often have bright blue eyes because their eyes lack pigmentation. Patricia’s journey with her sons was a testament to resilience, love, and the power of awareness in the fight against ignorance and bullying. Through their experiences, the Williams family has not only raised awareness of albinism but also become advocates for children with disabilities, promoting acceptance and understanding in a world that sometimes struggles with differences.
As Redd and Rockwell continue to grow and prosper, their story serves as a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the unwavering determination of a family that refused to let adversity define them. Patricia, Dale, Gage, Redd, and Rockwell not only overcame the challenges of albinism but also rose above the hurtful memes and bullying they encountered along the way. By choosing to become advocates for albinism awareness and celebrating the uniqueness of their children, they turned a potentially hurtful situation into a source of inspiration for others. As they move forward, the Williams family remains a shining example of strength, love, and the importance of embracing our differences with open hearts and open minds.