IamA (19 year old male Asian with Albinism) AMA!

Do you have a cool nickname like silver dragon or something like that ?

No, but it would be awesome if it was silver dragon.

In Africa there is apparently a black market where those with Albinism are killed because of some misguided belief that their body parts are magical cures for things. Thoughts? Ps you are a cool Silver Dragon!

Thank you!! I hope one day those people will learn that those with albinism do not have special powers we just lack pigment.

Do people in China look down on albinism?

There is a documentry called "The Children of the moon" it shows what it is like in China.

Could you give abrief summation?

Its only a 7 minute video and it explains it better then i can.

Cool. Thanks!

Are you in it?

No

Haha, hey man it's Brock, went to high school with you. Anyway, does sunscreen provide a long-term way for you to spend time on a sunny day, or does it only help slightly? How often do you need to re-apply it?

Yo Brock, i hope you are doing well man!! Sunscreen does help when i apply it every 30 minutes. I really hate putting on sunscreen though.

What's your favorite sunscreen?

Banana boat

Does the hair that grows on the rest of your body match your hair color, or does your body hair do what some very fair skinned people do and grow in splotchy or almost non-existent?

Yeah all of the hair on my body is white as well.

Do you live in the US? Here we have big conventions for people with albinism to meet up. I know of one that specifically happens every year in st. Louis. One of my good friends who has albinism attended and said it was great. You meet a ton of new friends from all over and basically party. You should go.

I live in Indiana. I was actually planning on going this year.

You mention you were adopted, but do you know if your biological parents had it?

I lived in a orphanage so i have no clue who my biological parents are.

What are your thoughts on DNA testing for it?

You know if I could take some melanin pills to improve my vision i would.

Ah I meant testing to see if you inherited it from your parents c:

Yes

Have you gotten bullyed for how you look?

Yeah

Have you considered cosplaying as Michio Kaku?

No i haven't

Do you need to wear sunscreen often? If not, do you get burnt?

Yes. If i dont wear sunscreen i get burnt in about 10 min in the sun.

how is your vision?

About 20/250 in both eye. My right eye is a little better then my left.

With or without corrective lenses?

I had an albino friend growing up with terrible vision, I didn't know it was related to him being albino though

My corrected vission is still 20/bad. Most albinos have bad vision because lack of pigment

Does the carpet match the drapes?

Yes

You look like a super saiyan. You're awesome silver dragon. We're you adopted from China? I didn't think many boys were out up for adoption in China.

Yeah I was adopted from Hubei China. I am very lucky to have been chosen out of all the other children. Why me?

I have 2 cousins adopted from China. They are the sweetest and smartest girls ever. Do you think you were put up for your albinism?

No, i feel like most people dont want albino children.

BTFU?

Boiler Up

Are you bummed out that you weren't involved in the video clip for Jamie XX - Oh my Gosh ?

Wow that is very intriguing. I've never seen that before so No.

I know that you were bullied because how you look and that's bad, but in the other hand, did you ever get something nice because how you look? I mean, there is a lot of people that feel attracted by people with albinism.

I do get like "cool hair" and that is always nice.

As someone who doesn't know a whole lot about albinism I have a couple of questions! 1. What are some of the ups and downs of albinism? 2. Is anything other than your skin, hair and eyes affected by albinism? 3. How is it having so awesome hair?!

Thanks for doing this and have a great day! :3

Thank you! Down: many vision problems, burn easily, some social difficulties, school work, Up- cool hair, thick skin(can take any insult)

What are some of the social difficulties? Do you think some people won't approach you because of how you look?

Yes i feel like most people dont approach me because of how i look. I cant see a facial expression. I cant see who is waving to me. I just cant see.

That last bit😂😂

Aren't there any corrective surgeries available? A family member (also Asian) got lasik surgery but would that do any good for you? I don't really know how it works though...

No there are currently no surgery i know of that would improve my vision substantially.

1. Nothing i can think of.
2. I like my hair so its cool.

Cosplay?

Not yet. I like anime though.

Is it quite uncommon for Asians to have albinism?

Albinism occurs 1 in 17,000 i believe.

Thanks for this insight Silver Dragon! In regards to your orphanage, you mentioned you have fond memories of it, do you remember specific other kids/friends? Would you ever go back to see it and the workers ( who i assume if you have positive memories, would feel like old friends or family)?

I dont remember anyone from my orphanage sadly. I have always wanted to go back and see my past.

On a scale of 1 to 10 how upset would you be if David Cross made karate like motions towards you?

1

Do you still speak Mandarin/Cantonese?

No i cant speak mandarin but i am taking a chinese class right now. 谢谢

Does that say XieXie?

I can speak a very limited amount of Chinese thanks to Boarding School, but have literally zero experience with calligraphy. I'm just guessing from the context.

Yes

Wow you look amazing! Super cool Silver Dragon.
I worked with a couple of special needs kids with albinism, both had very bad eyesight. Is it also due to the lack of pigment? And wow thank for answering all these questions!

Thank you! It is due to lack of pigment that i have poor vision.

Have you ever thought that back to China and find your biological parents?

No, that would be very difficult.

What's the worst you've ever been sunburnt?

I was a young lad and it was my first summer in the US. I thought it would be a good idea to lay out in the sun like my siblings without any sunscreen. I had two blisters the size of golf balls on my shoulder blades. I couldnt lay on my back fior many days. Definitely one of the worst burns.

Do you have psychic powers like that movie powder?

No but i wouldnt mind having it.

How was school?

It was difficult but i mostly got A anf B.

Have you ever worn mascara for a (and excuse me here) more natural look?

No i dont know how to put mascara on.

If you don't mind me asking, what happened while you were in China before being adopted?

I lived in an orphanage with other orphans. I liked it there but i had no clue there was an outside world.

Can you tan?

No, i can get pretty pink though.

Whats the dumbest question you frequently get about your condition?

Has anyone ever reacted with fear? Children or whatnot? How did you handle it?

Would you be attracted to another person with albinism?

Edit: stay proud, 银龙

There are no dumb questions if you are trying to learn. I get a lot of eyes but i cant see peoples facial expressions. I have thick skin so i can take whatever is tossed at me(i probably wont see it lol). I like personality over physical beauty so i wouldnt know.

Were you in the music video Gosh by Jamie XX?

No

what is the biggest misconception people have about albinism?

We have special powers.

What ethnicity are your adopted parents?

I dont know my biological parents.

I meant the parents who adopted you

They are American.

Do you realise just how many young people in Asian countries would give their right arm to have blond hair like yours?

p.s. check this article about a male albino model

I never knew.

Fellow Hoosier here and foster kid. How much do you think or wonder about your birth family? I have always thought albino women were so attractive. Like a magical unicorn. Do the boiler girls treat you right? Large adopted family were they motivated by religion to do this?

I dont think about my birth parents. My parents have really big heart to adopt so many children.

what's your favourite cheese?

String cheese

Nî xí huan Che shenme?

我喜欢喝茶

I see people with albinism (is albino improper to say?) while out an about sometimes. I often think they look so cool, but never say anything. I wonder if they would be weirded out...

If you see an albino just go uo to them and tell them they're cool.

Are you somebody's grandpa?

Not yet!!