Albinism is a rare inherited disease characterized by a substantially lower rate of melanin production. Melanin is the pigment responsible for the color or hair, skin and eyes. It’s not often you see people with albinism, so doctors were surprised when Aiman Sarkatova of Kazakhstan gave birth to not one, but TWO albino babies. Check out these incredible 15 pictures.
Asel and Kamila Kalaganova were born 12 years apart and are now in high demand as models in their homeland.
“When my eldest was born, genetics were not so developed with us” says mom, Sarkatova “It is only developing now. The doctors were shocked and thought she was Russian. Then I started reading about this matter and I learned my children are albinos.”
“At the beginning, everyone was shocked, surprised. I did not know what to do with myself. I did not know how to live”
It turns out there were albinos in Sarkatovas ancestors that she was unaware of.
The girls have to stay out of the sunlight.
“If I go outside in the afternoon, then I definitely apply sunscreen, put on clothes to protect my skin, headgear or use an umbrella,” said Asel.
The girls also have eye problems and Asel wears glasses.
When she was younger, Asel went to a special school for handicapped children but later transferred to a regular one. “She studies perfectly well” says Sarkatova.
“Albinos do not differ much from other children, only their hair, eyelashes, eyes, and skin color. At first it was difficult, of course, the children stared at her. Now she feels good, we do not limit her to anything.”
But wherever they go, they get a lot of attention and Asel has recently finished modeling school.
Sarkatova encourages her daughter to find and talk to other teenagers that are albino.
Asel was 10 when she started modeling but Kamila’s birth prompted more interest and the teenager now has 32,900 followers.
You can view more of her photos on her Instagram page.
Aren’t they beautiful?
Kamila is 2 today and Ansel is 15. They look nothing like their mother or father.
Sarkitova said her son’s skin looks just like his father’s. “He is dark-skinned, a real Kazakh” she says. “Until the younger one was born, he did not ask any questions. Then he started to ask ‘Why are they like that? Why am I not like them, like my sisters?’ He realizes people are looking at the girls and even begins to boast, proudly telling people about his unique sisters.”
More Info: Assel Kamila
I definitely think they are something to boast about!