‘Albinism means you are never invisible’, say Coventry siblings

Growing up in Coventry, Naseem Akhtar and her family faced judgement because of the way they looked.

Although they come from Pakistani heritage, albinism runs in the family – both of her parents, all six of their children, herself, and various other relatives have the genetic condition.

Albinism affects the production of melanin, which can affect eyesight as well as they way people with the condition look. This means the family have very pale skin and white hair – something which Akhtar said they faced mistreatment for.

“I used to hate bonfire night because you knew that the fireworks were going to come through the letterbox,” she told the BBC.

Growing up in the city in the 80s, Akhtar found it difficult.

“When I came along, the stigma was a lot more prominent… it would have been more prominent for my father and my mother and my uncle and aunt who had the condition, because they were born in Pakistan… they came to Coventry at about 11 and 12.

“You’re never invisible… you will stand out in any community and that takes a lot of strength and courage to fit in to that and to grow into yourself.”