1 in 20,000 people worldwide is born with a genetic condition called albinism, and you’d think people should be aware of it by now, given how easily accessible information is nowadays. However, there is still a lot of stigma around it which is especially prevalent in places where people with this condition stand out from the crowd and make heads turn for all the wrong reasons, such as Africa or Asia. In China, albinism is seen as a curse or a crippling social and economic burden, so many children never get to go to a loving home after coming into this world. A baby girl was left outside an orphanage in China around 16 years ago because she looked different and was predestined to have no future, or, at least, a very difficult one.
Luckily, when she was 3, Xueli was adopted by the Dutch Abbing family and moved to the Netherlands to live with her new mom and sister. Unique looks led Xueli to the modeling industry at the age of 11, where she got a platform to celebrate differences, raise awareness about albinism, and inspire others to embrace their natural beauty. As of today, she has been featured in Vogue and has worked with the world’s greatest photographers and major brands in the fashion industry.
More info: Instagram
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Image source: xueli_a, gemmy.woudbinnendijk
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Image source: xueli_a, kaat_stieber_
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Image source: xueli_a, reiny.bourgonje.photography
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