I grew up with two kids who were born with albinism. They were a brother and sister from the same family, and they had very fair skin and pure white hair. Since I went to school with them from kindergarten onward, I thought nothing of it, to be honest. They were just Beth and Brian (not their real names, to protect their privacy). They were beautiful. All of us girls would have loved to have looked like Beth with her delicate creamy complexion and pure white hair. We didn’t know at the time that they were albino, and I didn’t even know about the condition until I was older. According to the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation, about one child in 18,000 to 20,000 have some type of albinism, so albinism is extremely rare. The condition reduces the amount of melanin pigment that forms in the hair, skin, and/or eyes.
With albinism being so rare, it’s not surprising that a fair-haired baby born recently tested negative for albinism. Baby Bence is extremely special. All babies are, of course. However, Bence was born with pure white hair that looks almost gray. Born in a hospital in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, the nurses and doctors were surprised, right along with Bence’s parents. His hair is a beautiful snow-white color, and he looks like a little angel. In addition to its unusual color, Bence was born with super long hair, which isn’t that uncommon. Lots of children are born with longer hair.
Bence is completely healthy, and there’s nothing especially different about him except for his hair. Doctors believe it will likely grow darker as Bence gets older. For most people, hair stars to turn grey at about age 32, but it doesn’t become noticeable in most people until they’re in their 40s. So this little guy is very special indeed. In his maternity ward, nurses called Bence “Prince Charming” because of how adorable he is and because of his sweet personality. Diversity is a beautiful thing. I’ve never understood folks who wish we were all more alike.
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I love difference, and it interests me. When it comes to human beings, each of us is genetically different and have traits that make us unique. This makes life interesting. Watch the video below to learn more about Baby Bence.
