Six brothers and sisters from England who hold the world record for the most siblings with albinism have opened up about their journey to self-acceptance.
Talking to Guinness World Records, the British family, who live in Coventry, say they experienced bullying growing up, but their tight bond helped them get through their school days.
“During school and college,” says one of the brothers, Ghulam Ali, “when we were quite young, we always sort of kept to ourselves together. We did experience being bullied or being sworn at.”
All sharing different and unique traits, their condition made the six extremely close.
An inherited genetic condition, albinism is caused by a lack of melanin, a pigment that gives color to the hair, skin, and irises of the eyes. Both parents have to carry the specific gene defect in order for it to be passed to their children. Since melanin is also responsible for helping develop the optic nerve, the sight can also be affected.
As the world record holders all suffer impaired vision, they helped one another during their younger years, says youngest brother Mohammed Rafi:
“Our sight is not as good, but we always knew that if we stand together no one can do us harm.”
For eldest sister, Naseem Akhtar, an NHS rehabilitation officer, earning a Guinness World Records title is a positive blessing for her family. Naseem, referred to as “the clever one” by the others, is incredibly proud of her siblings and their resilience. She is also happy and comfortable in her own skin, saying:
“Over time, I have now come to like my condition because it makes me very unique. Being Asian but being white, it gives me a unique outlook on life, it gives me a very unbiased opinion of society and humanity.
“I like who I am, and the human being I became.”
Rafi has a similar view, saying:
“What I like about the condition is that you get noticed a lot.
“You stand out slightly from others.”
He receives a lot of comments and compliments about his unusual eyes, which appear to change color in different light; something which is common in those with albinism.
The other siblings in the group born to Pakistani parents are Haider Ali, Muqadas Bibi, and Musarat Begum. The close-knit clan is expanding, and some now have their own children. The new generation doesn’t have the condition, though they are of course well-informed about it.
When asked about her mom, Muqadas Bibi’s daughter smiles, saying:
“She is pretty,” adding, “My friends do ask questions about my mum, and they say she looks very beautiful and pretty and different. They just compliment her.”
The strength, dignity, and keen sense of humor of the large family is clear to see. As the mother figure of the smiling, gracious siblings, Naseem calls her family a team who always leaned on her for support, while supporting her likewise.
It was Naseem who, after some thought, applied for the record title of most siblings with albinism, following the pandemic which saw them all come together. Hoping that their story of overcoming prejudice, sticking together, and embracing self-acceptance will inspire other people, she says:
“Go and get your dream and be amazing, because we are all amazing. It doesn’t matter if you have a disability or are able-bodied or who you are, just be you. Be proud of yourself, and love yourself for who you are. Find who you are.”
