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I’M NOT ONE to share a lot of personal information with the public, but today I really felt that something needs to be said. Or at least that we need another person to say it again.
I am a 26-year-old woman who happens to have albinism. Albinism is a comparatively rare genetically inherited group of conditions. It causes pale skin which burns easily in the sun, virtually white hair, very severe short-sight and photophobia (a severe sensitivity to light). Worldwide, one in 20,000 people is thought to be born with the condition.
Living with albinism means overcoming visual impairment, a propensity to burn and coping with being visually distinct. But, apart from that, we are absolutely “normal” in every way.
2017 in a narrow-minded world
In 2017, why am I living in a world with so many people who are still so unaware and narrow-minded? I’m asking people to think about this. Talk about it.
Maybe you know someone from a minority group, like someone with a visual impairment, hearing impairment or physical disability. Do they deserve the life they want and are capable of? Not everyone looks “different” and nobody deserves to be treated as if they are different.
I have had so many knockbacks and faced so much prejudice in my life. I can’t go into town (that’s Dublin) without at least one rude comment being shouted at me. Or someone pointing and laughing at me. It’s not immediately noticeable I am albino but unfortunately some people realise and are too ignorant to treat me like any other person on the street.
Job hunting with my condition
I have applied for over 200 jobs in recent months and met face-to-face with over 50 people, some for company interviews and some agencies. I’ve done numerous phone interviews as well.
Yes, I have got through to second or third rounds interview and yes, some interviews have gone better than others. At many interviews people have said things like “are you okay sitting in that light?” Or they stare very noticeably at my nystamus (shaky eyes) – something that I cannot control.
Am I disputing that I just wasn’t right for some of these roles? Absolutely not. But to realise that even a fraction of these people are so unfamiliar with someone who isn’t “normal,” and are worried about how to train me, is so disheartening.
I don’t need to alter anything within my workplace. I have never had issues doing my job, seeing things or made any mistakes due to my visual impairment. Yes, we all vary in our needs but nobody needs too much support or anything that is that different to the average new employee. And even if anyone did, does that mean they don’t have the right to the job, just because a fraction more effort might need to be made by employers, or trainers?
I have mainly been applying for reception roles as this type of role is something, even with my albinism I can still excel at and enjoy. I have asked for a lot of feedback and haven’t received any negative or even constructive feedback. It’s all been very positive. This is why I find it so frustrating.
Rejection affects mental health
Unemployment and making somebody feel inadequate hurt. It’s no wonder so many people struggle with their mental health as a result of them.
I feel extremely isolated at the moment as the people I surround myself with are all working and doing well. I feel very left behind and it’s hard to stay upbeat and positive when you’re spending an incredible amount of time alone and struggling.
Am I that different to my sister? My twin brother? My friends? Any person on the street? No I am not. Does it slow me down in work? No. Does it cause hassle or problems for other people? No.
I hope for the life I want
I do hope. I hope for the life I want, the life I deserve. I have worked hard my entire life, to keep up, so I can have the most “normal” life I can.
I have met some amazing people over the years who have taken an interest in me and who are understanding. I hope that I meet more of them. I hope they spread their good nature and in turn create a more understanding and positive environment for us all. We can all benefit from putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes and walking around in them.
Most of all I hope this reaches someone who needs to hear it, hear they are not alone in whatever obstacle they face. I hope that we can all live full and happy lives.
Sinead McManus is a 26-year-old woman who happens to have albinism. She studied counselling and psychotherapy. She loves to travel, read and spend time with the people in her life.
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The gun laws are bad enough in America…
But if you’re going to keep a gun in the house with kids,why have it loaded??
Some Americans are honestly so paranoid about their safety that they assume they will need a loaded gun nearby to protect their home. Sane gun owners realise that leaving loaded firearms around their home is much more dangerous than any potential home invader as incidences like this can happen.
This the most horrific thing you could imagine happining to a family. How can you leave loaded weapons in a childs way? No excuse!
Welcome to America!
A new low, why do you not hear of these incidents anywhere else, am maybe because you can’t buy guns in supermarkets! The right to bare arms my bolox!
These incidences happen wherever guns are allowed in the home, you just don’t hear about them because bashing the gun laws in Russia is nowhere near as popular as America’s.
What the hell??
Homicides by firearm in the US in 2012 were at a relatively high rate of 2.83 per 100,000 but it was a far cry below the highest which was Honduras at 64.8 per 100,000.
When it comes to unintentional death by firearm, as is the topic of this news story, the US stands at an incredibly low rate of 0.3 compared to the highest which is Uruguay at 3.46.
As you can see, the US is by no means the worst country when it comes to firearm-related deaths but it’s only the US which is in the news.
Are any developed or first world countries ahead of the USA in those stats Diarmuid? Just wondering
Apologies I meant Jason!
It entirely depends on what you class as a ‘developed’ country. There is, as of this time, no single accepted list of developed countries so the answer is both yes and no. It entirely depends on which list you use to compare.
As for First World Countries, yes actually there are First World Countries ahead of the US in terms of both homicides and unintentional deaths.
How many more times does things like this have to happen before gun laws are re-examined?
Gun laws have been revised in a number of states in recent years. Even in Ireland, incidences like this could theoretically occur irrespective of our strict gun laws.
Jason’s on a roll this evening.
That’s three times now, I have to point it out: incidents, not “incidences”..
“That’s three times now, I have to point it out: incidents, not “incidences”..”
They say that the person who resorts to correcting grammar is the one who has no other argument to make.
Who are “they”?
America needs to wake up to their ‘right to bear arms’ law.
Wow…..babies killing babies
Would a 3 yr old have the strength to pull a trigger? No safety on? …. If your gonna be stupid enough to leave guns around kids, you would at least have the safety on, no?
Que red thumbs
Or keep the gun unloaded.
Some guns have a hair trigger, don’t they?
Murica
it seems like every day there’s either a columbine-style shooting, a toddler shooting a handgun, or a cop shooting an unarmed black guy.
I hate to say it, but this is what life is like here in the states. Mass shootings, police brutality, and accidental shootings of and by children are all becoming common place. A few months ago, a toddler shot and killed his own mother inside a Walmart. The gun was loaded, safety off, and in her purse. The purse was in her shopping cart which the toddler. Our constitution gives us the right to bear arms, nowhere in there does it say that we should bear them stupidly or irresponsibly.
Awful tragedy for the poor family’s involved, and gun crime is becoming a bigger problem now.
My question is does the journal just copy and paste these articles?
“Robinson did not return telephone messages seeking comment Monday.” – Did the Journal try to reach this person on the phone? ..Huh I didn’t think so…
Actually Dairmuid, all statistics show that gun crime in the US is at an all-time low when factoring in per-capita crime rates.
Yeah but if you factor in shooting by cops you need a mathematic genius and a super computer to do the numbers.
The numbers there are relatively low. In 2014 there were 593 killings by armed officers of which the estimated number of justifiable homicides were in the region of 400.
While that number looks high, you need to factor in the fact that 27 police officers were killed in violent attacks in the US in 2013 alone while a further 49,000 were the victims of assaults.
Hi Diarmuid,
Just to explain on your second query here.
This piece is taken from our international wire service – Associated Press – so it was written by a local reporter who certainly did seek comment.
On pieces written by TJ staff, there are always calls made seeking comment from relevant parties.
Thanks
Sinead
News Editor
Please don’t try defend the huge gun problem in the US. At this point it’s disrespectful to the poor toddler. Normally you’re a rock if sense but losing it here.
Hey Jason you have a fan.
I’m not trying to defend it Bob. I’m merely trying to add some balance by showing actual statistics and facts regarding the gun problem in the US. Comments on the Journal relating to this topic tend to be both heavy in emotions and light in facts.
I do agree that the US has a problem however I do not believe that the guns themselves are the main issue. The US, in my opinion, has a problem when it comes to the general lack of respect for how dangerous they can be (this ‘I bought it for self-defense’ crap being a good example) and widespread ignorance as to the proper usage and storage of firearms.
Druid, I only posted the number of those killed violently in 2013 throughout the US according to the FBI. The total number of those who died on duty was closer to 200 but only 27 were killed by the violent actions of another. The remainder comes from accidents, injuries and illnesses. I would assume that the figures from this year would follow a similar ratio of violent to non-violent deaths.
The figure I’m more surprised about is the 49,000 assaults on police officers.
Jesus that child is going to have that at the back of his mind for the rest of his life ..awful stuff ..shouldn’t have been able to get their hands on a fully loaded gun that easy
Tragic on what happen, irresponsible parents leaving a gun around children.
I wished I lived in a world in which this would still shock me.
Something needs to be done about illegal guns & irresponsible gun owners.
America is seriously violent for a country not in a state of war.
This isn’t violence, it’s stupidity.
Well this is just the next episode on a never ending line of police and civilian shooting incidents.
“Police say someone will be accountable for this” I guess some black guy will get shot soon enough by the cops so.
But with the NRA logic the one year old could have prevented getting shot if they had a gun.Say an AR15 assault rifle!
A terrible preventable tragedy.Wonder how the parents feel about the precious second amendment now?
One would hope this would lead to America reviewing its current gun laws, but this being America its more likely they will pass a law to make sure all one year olds are armed in the future.
I though I read something like this happening only a while ago in America? The mother also said she didn’t know who owned the gun ?
Jason Culligan is an enthuastic and frequent poster on gun deaths! He knows a lot about guns.
He will explain everything to us about guns and their use in different countries. He is the Pope of guns.
Thanks Jason.
My only contribution is an emotional one. All human deaths, accidental or intentional, are tragic. Even deaths caused by guns are tragic.
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”
Unofficially, there is ambiguity when it comes to the exact meaning of the Second Amendment. Officially it has been established through multiple court cases, especially United States v. Emerson (2001), that the Second Amendment does in fact recognise a person’s individual right to keep and bear arms.
This was supposed to be a reply to Mary.
That’s three shootings by children. One in a supermarket, one in a car and now this one. And I think there was another accidental sibling shooting last year. Just madness!
Oh and that amendment in the US Constitution is about the right of a well drilled militia to bear arms. Doesn’t mention individuals so far as I know.
it is also an ‘Amendment’! which means it is NOT sacrosanct and can be changed
The 2nd amendment in action…
have your say