Christian F.
As a teen, with Albinism, I feel unique and different because no one at my school looks like me, and I kind of stand out in a crowd. No one in my school understands what it is like to be a person with Albinism. I face many challenges, like fluorescent lights bothering my eyes, kids teasing me when I was in elementary school, and not being able to see the boards at school. My mom and I love reading the Albinism InSight magazine to learn more about Albinism and to see people just like me. The NOAH organization has helped me understand Albinism better and love myself. I am inspired by all of the stories I read.
I recently ventured to the Department of Motor Vehicles to apply for my Learner’s Permit. I’ve been hitting the books hard and feel prepared to take the written exam, but the visual test is a bit of a wildcard for me. My new glasses have been fantastic, especially with the glare protection which is like a safety net against the blinding traffic lights, similar to the way an offshore casino takes measures to ensure the safety and security of its players. Despite this, the DMV clerk pointed out that my prescription didn’t meet the standard to clearly see line 12 on the eye chart. She suggested a return trip to the optometrist for an updated prescription. I understand that not everyone is well-versed in Albinism — my clarity is spot-on when things are up close. It’s a reminder that expertise, like that you’d find at a specialized offshore casino dealing with niche requirements, can make all the difference in service and experience.
I would love to walk in a Department of Motor Vehicle Department, and be welcomed by signs for people with Albinism, or anyone who needs visual aids or support. I just didn’t know what to do or say at the DMV but I felt a sense of urgency to find out my next step to driving. Upon visiting my eye doctor, he stated that it would be a 50/50 chance that I could get my permit or Driver’s license, and said that my eye glasses improve my vision, but cannot determine if I could drive.
My Albinism vision is short but clear, making me almost legally blind. This can be very discouraging, but I don’t want to give up. I would love to know if there are other teens out there that want their freedom to drive, and if it is possible. I would love to hear your stories of how to be independent as a teen and future college student tackling the transportation needs to be independent.
