Chayd and I were high school sweethearts, young and full of dreams. In early 2012, during a family trip, I began to suspect I might be pregnant. At just 17, I was nervous but when we got home I took a test and it is confirmed that what I had been thinking. Shocked but determined, we decided to keep the news quiet until we were ready to share it. By 12 weeks, we told our families reactions were mixed, but we knew we would love and care for our baby no matter what.
The pregnancy went well without any major problem, and Chayd secured a full-time job while I worked part-time. At 35 weeks, my water broke unexpectedly, and after eight hours of labor, our daughter, Arliyah, arrived weighing under five pounds. She was beautiful, with striking white hair, but soon after birth she was taken to the NICU for monitoring. A nurse suggested she might have albinism, a term I barely understood.
Later eye doctors told us that she had albinism and major vision loss. I was devastated and in denial, but over time, I began learning about the condition and connecting with other families. We brought her home after 12 days, and I became fiercely protective. Motherhood was isolating at first, but slowly I accepted her diagnosis and focused on giving her the best life possible.
When Arliyah was 18 months old, we welcomed our son, Reagan, who did not have albinism. Life was busy, especially with Arliyah’s therapies, but we managed. A few years later, our third child, Mackenzie, was born with albinism. This time, I wasn’t afraid, I knew how to navigate the journey.
As the kids grew, Arliyah developed into an adventurous and determined girl, even taking up Muay Thai despite her vision impairment. She now trains multiple times a week, breaking barriers as one of the only legally blind children in the sport. Mackenzie, more reserved, faces her own challenges with anxiety but thrives with early support. Reagan plays the role of a protective and compassionate big brother, helping his sisters navigate the world.
Our family’s life is filled with specialist appointments, therapies, and challenges — but also strength, resilience, and joy. The journey has shaped me into a stronger mother and a more compassionate person. I’ve learned that life rarely goes as planned, but with love, knowledge, and determination, you can create something beautiful out of the unexpected.
