Many parents cherish the experience of capturing and sharing precious moments of their newborns, and Patricia Williams was no exception. With love and pride, she photographed her baby boy, eager to share his beauty with the world. However, she was met with an unexpected and heartbreaking reaction when she tried to do so.
Patricia’s son, Redd, was born in 2012. At first, she didn’t think much of his strikingly white hair—after all, she, her husband Dale, and their older son Gage were all blond. It wasn’t until Redd was about two months old that she began noticing unusual traits.
Dale became curious when he observed their baby’s eyes constantly shifting from side to side. A quick online search led him to a surprising discovery: this was a common characteristic of albinism. Patricia, unfamiliar with the condition, was skeptical at first. However, as she read more, she realized that Redd exhibited all the telltale signs—his pale skin, shimmering white hair, and distinctive eye movements all pointed to the same conclusion.
To get a definitive diagnosis, the couple consulted genetic specialists and an optometrist. Their suspicions were confirmed—Redd had Oculocutaneous Albinism Type 1 (OCA1), a rare genetic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 17,000 people worldwide.
Looking back, Patricia recalled how the hospital staff had been in awe of Redd when he was born. Nurses and doctors marveled at his icy blue eyes and luminous hair. At the time, she hadn’t thought much of it. It wasn’t until they brought him home that the realization hit—his hair was so light that it seemed to sparkle under the sunlight. More concerning, however, was his inability to control his eye movements. Sometimes, under certain lighting, his bright blue eyes even appeared red.
At first, Patricia believed these traits would fade as he grew. But that changed when, in February 2018, her second son, Rockwell, was born with the same condition.
While the family had already gained knowledge about albinism, they were unprepared for the backlash that followed. Strangers on social media took photos of Rockwell and turned them into cruel memes, spreading them across the internet.
Unfortunately, Redd had already faced bullying at school because of his unique appearance. His older brother Gage often stepped in to defend him. But as painful as that experience had been, nothing could have prepared Patricia and Dale for seeing their baby’s innocent photos twisted into jokes online.
At first, they tried to fight back, pleading with people to remove the offensive images. But they soon realized that controlling the spread was impossible. Instead of dwelling on the negativity, they decided to shift their focus toward something more meaningful—raising awareness about albinism and advocating for children with the condition.
Patricia was deeply emotional when specialists confirmed Redd’s diagnosis. She worried about how his albinism would impact their family dynamic, his future, and the challenges he would face in a world that often misunderstands differences.
She also understood why Rockwell’s appearance caught so much attention. “It’s rare to see a baby with completely white hair, and Rockwell’s hair stands straight up, making him even more noticeable,” she explained.
But from the negativity came an unexpected silver lining. As Rockwell’s pictures gained traction online, many people reached out—not to mock him, but to learn. Patricia quickly realized that most people had little to no knowledge about albinism. Many had only seen depictions of it in obscure movies, often filled with inaccuracies. She recognized a unique opportunity to educate others and spread awareness.
As Redd grew older, he underwent eye surgery to correct his strabismus. This was a pivotal moment for him, as it significantly improved his vision. Instead of resorting to an eye patch, which would have drawn even more unwanted attention, the surgery allowed him to integrate more comfortably into everyday life. Over time, his friends stopped noticing his differences altogether.
By then, it was clear—Redd could do anything any other child could do. The only exceptions were his need for extra sun protection, including a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. His little brother Rockwell followed in his footsteps, thriving just as much.
On April 28, 2023, Patricia shared a video of Rockwell at his school’s “Western Day,” and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Social media users flooded the post with love, calling him “adorable” and “beautiful.”
One common myth Patricia has worked to dispel is the belief that people with albinism have red eyes. She explained that their lack of pigment results in extremely light blue eyes, which may appear red in certain lighting conditions but are not actually red.
Today, both boys are happy, thriving, and embracing life to the fullest. Their journey has been filled with challenges, but it has also brought incredible moments of joy, strength, and awareness.
This remarkable family’s story is a testament to love, resilience, and the power of embracing one’s uniqueness. Share their journey with others—you never know who might need to hear it!