Grant Wilson lives with albinism. As part of of International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD), read Grant's story of growing up in the 1960s and '70s and forging a career supporting others who are blind or have low vision.
When I was born there was little public awareness of albinism and I was also the only one in my family with the condition.
My parents were confronted with the obvious concerns of the long term impact of albinism on vision and what that would mean for my schooling, career prospects, having my own family and generally whether I’d ever be able to live independently.
Thankfully they were introduced to the RVIB, now Vision Australia, at an early stage who demystified the condition and provided support and examples of other children and adults that had navigated this sometimes complex path through schooling and in to employment.
My parents made every attempt to treat me no differently to my siblings. Comments like “find a way as we won’t always be there to help” were common and still resonate with me today.
Growing up
Despite this these supports, growing up in the 1960s and ‘70s did have its challenges.
There was no sunburn cream readily available in Australia. My parents’ only option was to import the core ingredients from the US and then have a local chemist blend it in with hand cream.
In the classroom, teachers typically wrote on blackboards with chalk, which made it close to impossible for me to read anything. In general, multiculturalism was in its infancy and that was reflected in the acceptance of people with a disability.
Changes in the modern world
Thankfully I’ve lead a full life with my own family, travelled to and trekked through multiple countries and been fully employed since my early 20s. My employment has mainly been in IT related roles in several organisations. Currently, I’m a Regional Client Services Manager at Vision Australia.
I think much of my employment has been possible due to society being more aware and accepting of people with a disability. While there’s more to be done, generally people are not expected to fit a “typical” mould as they were in the past.
Technology has also played a major role in removing barriers to education, employment and overall independence. I can fully operate my computer and smart phone, allowing me to quickly read text and navigate unfamiliar areas.
More information being communicated via various screens means it can either be magnified to the required level or converted to speech if there is a significant amount.
There are still regular times where I’ll come across a challenge or obstacle.
In those instances, I find there’s no substitute for clear thinking, keeping an open mind and taking a logical approach. It’s often possible to make a decision or contribute to a discussion without having to see or read every intricate detail.
You can find out more about Albinism online or contact Vision Australia on 1300 84 74 66 or email info@visionaustralia.org to find out about available support services.