A baby girl born with albinism was abandoned by her parents. She looked too “strange” for them and left her at an orphanage door. Try not to smile when you see her today: check in comments 👇
Albinism is a rare, lifelong genetic condition found across all ethnicities. It causes a lack of melanin, leading to very light skin, hair, and eyes. Unfortunately, people with albinism often face stigma and discrimination, especially in less developed regions.
One such story began in China, where a baby girl born with albinism was abandoned by her parents due to her appearance. Left at an orphanage just days after birth, she was named Xueli—meaning “snow beautiful.” While her start in life was heartbreaking, hope soon arrived. A loving family from the Netherlands adopted her and gave her a new beginning.
At age 11, Xueli’s life changed again when a Hong Kong photographer invited her to model in a campaign called *Perfect Imperfections*, celebrating unique beauty. That opportunity opened doors, and eventually, a London photographer helped her land a feature on the cover of *Vogue Italia* in June 2019.
In parts of the world where harmful myths about albinism persist, some people face horrific violence. Knowing this, Xueli considers herself fortunate to have only been abandoned—and now uses her platform to raise awareness and fight prejudice.
“I want to show the world that albinism is not a curse,” she says. “It’s a genetic condition. And I’m not just ‘an albino’—I’m a person with albinism.”
Today, Xueli is more than a model—she’s a role model, reminding the world that beauty lies in our differences.
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