Many parents cherish the idea of capturing newborn photos of their children and sharing them with others, and Patricia Williams was no exception. She took a heartwarming photo of her son but was in for an unpleasant surprise when she attempted to share these precious moments with the world.

Redd, Patricia’s son, was born in 2012. From birth, the young boy had distinctive white hair, but it took a few months for his mother to notice other unique characteristics.

It was only when Patricia’s husband, Dale, began to investigate why the baby’s eyes were moving side to side that they received a shock. This unusual eye movement is often associated with albinism, a term Patricia was unfamiliar with. However, as they examined their son’s characteristics, including pale skin, white hair, and tracking eyes, they realized he exhibited all the signs of albinism.

Seeking a formal diagnosis, the couple consulted a geneticist and an optometrist. It was confirmed that Redd had Oculocutaneous Albinism Type 1 (OCA1), a rare condition affecting 1 in 17,000 individuals worldwide.

Patricia recalled the excitement among hospital staff when Redd was born, all eager to meet the newborn with white hair and blue eyes. However, Patricia didn’t think much of it at the time because she, her husband, and their firstborn son, Gage, all had blonde hair.

A month later, Patricia noticed that Redd’s hair was so white it would shine in the sun, and his eyes would follow her gaze despite her attempts to block them. He also had strikingly blue eyes that could appear red under certain lighting conditions.

Initially, Patricia thought her son would outgrow these characteristics, but she later realized it was a lifelong condition when her second son, Rockwell, was born with the same condition.

While Redd faced bullying at school due to his distinctive appearance, his older brother Gage became his protector. The family was well-informed about albinism at the time of Rockwell’s birth but never anticipated that images of their son would be turned into a meme.

Dale and Patricia initially tried to have the meme removed, but they soon realized it was an impossible task. Instead, they decided to ignore the situation and, in response to prevent bullying of children with albinism for being different, they became advocates for raising awareness about the condition.

Patricia had mixed feelings when Redd’s albinism was confirmed. She worried about how he would be treated in life due to his differences and how it would affect their family dynamics, knowing that he would be more susceptible to sunburn and eventual vision impairment.

Rockwell garnered significant attention due to his striking appearance, with his hair standing straight up, making him even more noticeable. Patricia, as a result, gained a substantial following as her son became a popular meme. She started receiving inquiries about her son’s appearance, realizing that many people had limited knowledge about albinism. Most of their information came from obscure films with minimal representation, and Patricia saw an opportunity to raise awareness.

After Redd underwent eye surgery to treat his strabismus, he transitioned from a school for blind children to a public school. The decision not to have him wear an eye patch proved beneficial, as it allowed Redd to fit in better with his peers. As he grew older, his friends noticed his differences less and less.

Redd and Rockwell thrived despite their unique conditions. They could play outside with minimal adaptations, like wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Patricia shared a video of Rockwell’s «Western Day» at school on April 28, 2023, which received a lot of love and support on social media.

Patricia also dispelled a common misconception about albinism, noting that people with albinism typically have light blue eyes, not red ones. Today, both boys are thriving and enjoying their lives to the fullest.