My name is Victoria Adeola Adegoroye and I'm 28 years old. The sad reality is that most persons living with albinism go through a lot as kids. For me it was difficult to be social and interact with my peers in school and people around me because I was different to the rest of them.

 

At a young age being very fair in complexion made me feel left out and an outcast. I was confused because  I did not know where I belonged or where I was going in life.

The teasing didn't really help my self esteem. I used to get teased a lot because I had gold hair and because of the way my eyes move a lot. I didn't know why I was being teased and laughed at. At a young age I couldn't understand why I was DIFFERENT.

 

Now I know there is nothing wrong being different. I know that I am living with albinism, I am more informed.  But back then it was confusing.  Growing up was not so bad. Usually I would get picked to be in a game called relay or anything that involves racing, because I ran fast in secondary school.

Till date people still look at me in a weird way. It doesn't bother me because I put my head up high and tell myself "I am what I am, and no one can change that".  The self love all started when I turned 18.  I went back to my roots.  I discovered who I was when I went to Nigeria for the summer. Knowing my culture and family background made me who I am today. Being Nigerian makes me so proud because of the food, clothing and music......

 Being albino doesn't change who I am, however it defined who I aspire to become. I want to teach young children and teenagers  to dream big, to dare to be bold. I want to encourage them to be true to themselves and not live in fear. To accept who they are. To love themselves no matter how different they are from others.

I also want to  help parents who have children with albinism. I want to educate and encourage them the best way I can. I want them to know that they are not alone. I believe children are a gift from God. I don't like when people judge or discriminate against children with disability or albinism.

 

I stand up to bullying and that's why I want to advocate for anti bullying.

My goal is to be a motivated speaker one day . To motivate the younger generation and parents.