February 28th 2024.
Belvana Abeli, a mother from Cape Town, South Africa, proudly shares about her two-year-old daughter Zayana Domingos, who she lovingly calls their "miracle baby." However, as much as she adores her daughter, Belvana has had to deal with strangers accusing her of cheating on her husband because Zayana has a different skin color compared to the rest of the family.
Zayana was born with albinism, a condition that affects the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for coloring the skin, hair, and eyes. Due to this, Zayana has lighter skin, hair, and eyes, while her parents and two siblings have a darker complexion. She is the middle child, with an older sister named Zivah, who is five years old, and a younger brother named Zander, who is only five months old.
Belvana shares that her daughter often experiences discrimination for looking different. People would ask if she is adopted, and some have even made shocking accusations. This has been a challenging experience for Belvana, who lives with her husband Natalino, as they constantly have to deal with people's ignorance and unconscious biases towards albinism.
Belvana takes this opportunity to educate others about albinism, explaining that it is a condition that affects the production of melanin, which can result in reduced vision and a higher risk of sunburn and skin cancer. It is estimated that one in 17,000 people has some form of albinism.
Despite the challenges, Belvana considers Zayana a blessing in their lives. She shares that their daughter has given them the opportunity to share their story and increase awareness about albinism. However, this has not stopped people from asking insensitive questions, even her eldest daughter Zivah has started to ask about the difference in her little sister's appearance.
Belvana also opens up about the struggles they face as a family, with some people suggesting that Zayana needs to attend a special school because albinism is considered a disability. She also mentions how some people would ask if Zayana is adopted. But despite all this, Belvana emphasizes that Zayana is their miracle baby, and they feel fortunate to have her in their lives.
Belvana ends by encouraging others to share their stories and experiences, and she welcomes anyone who wants to get in touch with her. She also mentions that she's seen other parents with children who have albinism, and she feels blessed to have a community of people who understand and support each other.
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