As parents, we have a profound impact on our children’s lives. From the moment they are born, they rely on us for love, protection, and guidance. Sadly, not all children have the privilege of growing up in a supportive environment. Xueli Abbing, a 16-year-old girl born in China, knows this all too well. She was abandoned by her parents at an orphanage because they deemed her appearance to be “weird.” But Xueli is determined to prove the world wrong.
Xueli was born with albinism, a genetic condition that affects the production of melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes. This results in a lack of pigmentation, giving her a unique and striking appearance. The orphanage staff named her “Xueli,” which means “Snow Beautiful” in Chinese. Despite the initial rejection she faced, Xueli was fortunate enough to be adopted by a loving Dutch family.
At the age of 11, an opportunity came knocking on Xueli’s door. A designer in Hong Kong wanted to challenge the conventional standards of beauty and invited her to model for a photo session. The campaign was called “Perfect Imperfections,” and it aimed to celebrate diversity and uniqueness. Xueli gladly accepted the offer and described the experience as “amazing.”
People with albinism often face stigmatization, prejudice, and discrimination due to both their race and their skin color. In extreme cases, they may even be hunted for their bones, as they are believed to possess mythical medicinal properties. Xueli considers herself lucky to have been abandoned rather than facing such dire circumstances.
While Xueli appreciates the modeling opportunities that have come her way, she expresses sadness at being typecast as an angel or ghost due to her albinism. She dreams of a world where people with disabilities or differences are featured more prominently in the media, not as anomalies but as a representation of true beauty.
In a stroke of luck, Xueli caught the attention of a London-based photographer who recognized her potential as a model. He treated her with the respect and professionalism she deserved. This led to a photoshoot that was featured in the prestigious June 2019 issue of Vogue Italia. Initially, Xueli didn’t grasp the significance of the opportunity, but she soon came to realize why people were so excited about it.
Reflecting on her journey, Xueli acknowledges the progress being made in terms of promoting diversity in the media. However, she believes that it shouldn’t be seen as extraordinary but rather as the norm. As someone with limited vision, she values people’s inner beauty and emphasizes the importance of their voices and what they have to say.
Xueli’s ultimate goal is to change perceptions and raise awareness about albinism. She wants to challenge the notion that it is a curse and instead highlight it as a genetic condition. She advocates for using the term “a person with albinism” instead of labeling someone as “an albino,” as it should not define their identity.
“I refuse to accept that children are being murdered because of their albinism. I want to make a difference and change the world,” Xueli passionately declares. With her determination and resilience, there’s no doubt she will leave a lasting impact.
Let’s support Xueli Abbing on her inspiring journey and help redefine beauty standards by sharing her story!
