Sounds childish. Resembling a European is not afterall such a thing to feel proud of.
-----Original Message----- From: AccessIndia [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ramya Venkitesh Sent: Monday, June 13, 2016 2:30 PM To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issuesconcerning the disabled.' Subject: [AI] Being Albino - A first person account by Prashant Naik Being Albino - A first person account by Prashant Naik Yes, I have low vision and am very nearsighted because of oculocutaneous albinism, which is the name given to a group of conditions that affect the colouring of the hair, skin and eyes. I look different, with white skin, swinging eyeballs and blond hair. I have many challenges like low vision, social attitudes and a skin that is sensitive to the sun and more vulnerable to skin cancer. However, I take my albinism as a positive. It makes me look different and sets me apart from others as I look European. I remember that during my primary school days, classmates would yell at me, saying 'Simon, go back!', echoing a slogan from the history books that was used by the Indian freedom fighters against the British. That would make me feel low and I would withdraw from others. As a teenager, that changed to 'Boris Becker', the German tennis champion whom I resemble. That felt so nice. I realized then that am different and I should take it as a blessing. This brought in a significant shift and gave me an advantage. I am able to deal with low vision problems by making sure I use large fonts, zoomed in screens and bold text. I always ensure the lighting conditions are good. Many a time I get special treatment as I always stand out in a crowd. People from school, college and my past workplaces remember me and my albinism has given me the personality of a foreigner. My experience is that there is much to gain from being different. For me, being albino is a gift. About the Writer Prashant Naik, who has albinism, works for a government bank. He was honoured by a National award in 2013 by the President of India as the Role Model of the year. Source: http://newzhook.com/newzhook_read_details.php?id=2636 Download the NewzHook app for more news on disability and the happenings around. NewzHook: India's first inclusive mobile app. Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. ________________________________ Caution: The Reserve Bank of India never sends mails, SMSs or makes calls asking for personal information such as your bank account details, passwords, etc. It never keeps or offers funds to anyone. Please do not respond in any manner to such offers, however official or attractive they may look. Notice: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, use, review, distribution, printing or copying of the information contained in this e-mail message and/or attachments to it are strictly prohibited. If you have received this email by error, please notify us by return e-mail or telephone and immediately and permanently delete the message and any attachments. The recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The Reserve Bank of India accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
