Many parents love capturing those precious early moments of their newborns and sharing them with friends and family. Patricia Williams was no different. When her son Redd was born, she lovingly took his photos, cherishing each moment. However, she was caught off guard when sharing his images online resulted in a deeply upsetting experience.

Redd was born in 2012. From the moment he entered the world, it was clear he was unique—his hair was snow white. At first, Patricia thought little of it. She and her husband, Dale, both had light hair, as did their older son, Gage. So seeing another fair-haired child in the family didn’t seem unusual. But after two months, Patricia began noticing things that didn’t seem typical.

One of the first signs was the way Redd’s eyes constantly moved from side to side. Concerned, Dale began searching online to figure out why this was happening. What he found shocked him. The eye movement was a symptom often associated with albinism—a word that was completely unfamiliar to them at the time. Patricia initially dismissed the possibility, but when she started comparing Redd’s features—his white hair, incredibly fair skin, and constant eye tracking—it all seemed to line up.

The couple decided to take the next step and consulted with an optometrist and genetic specialists. After thorough evaluations, the diagnosis was confirmed: Redd had Oculocutaneous Albinism Type 1 (OCA1), a rare genetic condition that affects approximately 1 in 17,000 people worldwide.

Patricia remembers the day Redd was born. The hospital staff was buzzing with excitement to see the newborn with white hair and piercing blue eyes. At the time, Patricia didn’t think twice about it, assuming he simply inherited light hair like the rest of the family. But once they brought Redd home, she began to notice how his hair shimmered in the sunlight, almost glowing. She also realized that even when she tried to shield his eyes, they would still track objects without blinking. His eyes were such a vibrant blue that they sometimes reflected red in certain lighting.

Initially, Patricia believed her son might outgrow these traits. But her perspective shifted entirely when, in February 2018, she gave birth to her second son, Rockwell—who was also born with albinism.

Unlike their first experience, Patricia and Dale were more prepared this time. They already had knowledge of the condition and how to care for a child with it. What they didn’t expect was how people online would treat Rockwell’s pictures. His newborn photos were stolen and turned into internet memes by strangers, mocking his appearance in cruel and heartless ways.

This wasn’t the first time their family had faced insensitivity. Redd had already endured bullying at school for looking different. Thankfully, his big brother Gage was there to protect him. Still, when Rockwell’s photos went viral for all the wrong reasons, it was a painful reminder of how unkind the internet could be.

At first, Dale and Patricia tried to contact everyone who had shared the photos, asking them to take them down. But it quickly became obvious that trying to stop the spread was impossible. They chose instead to stop fighting the negative and redirect their energy toward spreading awareness about albinism.

They realized that most people didn’t actually know much about albinism. What little knowledge existed came from outdated movies or myths. Patricia and Dale recognized that they had a rare opportunity—to educate others, to normalize the condition, and to protect children like Redd and Rockwell from being judged for their differences.

When Redd’s diagnosis was first confirmed, Patricia admitted she was devastated. She worried about how the world would treat her son, how he would manage a condition that left him highly sensitive to sunlight and potentially legally blind. She feared the social implications, the misunderstandings, and the changes this might bring to their family’s day-to-day life.

What made Rockwell stand out even more, she noted, was how unusual it was to see a baby with bright white hair. His hair stood straight up, drawing even more attention. Ironically, this distinctive look is what led to Rockwell becoming an internet sensation—both for the wrong and right reasons. Once Patricia began addressing people’s questions online, she gained a following. People were curious, and that curiosity led to education.

One of the most common misconceptions she tackled was the belief that people with albinism have red eyes. In truth, she explained, they often have light blue eyes that appear red under certain lighting because of the lack of pigment.

With time, the family made major decisions to help their boys thrive. Redd underwent eye surgery to correct strabismus—a condition where the eyes do not align properly. The alternative would have been an eye patch, but they believed that would draw more negative attention to him. The surgery made a meaningful difference, and Redd transitioned from a private school for the visually impaired to a public school.

Now that he’s older, Redd stands out less and less. His classmates know he wears sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen when outside, but otherwise, he plays, learns, and grows just like any other child. Rockwell is also thriving, following in his brother’s footsteps and embracing life with joy and confidence.

In April 2023, Patricia posted a video of Rockwell dressed up for “Western Day” at school. This time, the online response was heartwarming. Instead of ridicule, the little boy received praise and affection. People commented on how adorable he looked, and it showed just how far their journey had come—from confusion and cruelty to awareness and appreciation.

Today, both boys are flourishing, and their family is committed to using their story to uplift and educate others. Patricia and Dale turned their pain into purpose, and in doing so, they’ve built a brighter world not just for their sons—but for all children with albinism.

Their story is one of love, resilience, and hope. Please consider sharing it to help others learn and grow from their powerful journey.