Standing up to stigma for International Albinism Awareness Day

One in 10,000 people in Ireland lives with albinism, which often affects their eyesight. Those affected by the condition can experience discrimination from an early age

Jessica Ní Mhaoláin, originally from Cork who was born with the vision impairment, occulocutaneous albinism and also has nystagmus, an involuntary movement of the eyes which means she struggles to focus. Photograph Moya Nolan

Jessica Ní Mhaolain has sometimes resented her albinism.

“As a teenager, I went through a phase of dying my hair any colour but blonde, because I tied it to the albinism,” she says. “I still have days when I wonder what it would be like to see properly.”