The lives of young children are shaped largely by their parents. From birth, children depend on them for love, protection, and stability—things that are essential for their happiness, health, and overall development. When children are forced to grow up without their parents, it can affect both their emotional well-being and physical health.
Sixteen-year-old Xueli Abbing, who was born in China, experienced this reality early in life. Her biological parents abandoned her as a baby and left her at the door of an orphanage because they believed she looked too “different.”
The orphanage staff gave her the name Xueli, a name that beautifully reflected her appearance. “Xue” means snow, and “Li” means beautiful. It was a fitting name for the little girl who was born with albinism.
Albinism is a genetic condition that reduces the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for coloring the skin, hair, and eyes. Because of this, people with albinism often have very pale features.
Fortunately, Xueli was later adopted by a caring Dutch family who raised her with love and support. When she was just 11 years old, she received an unexpected opportunity: a designer in Hong Kong invited her to take part in a photo shoot celebrating different kinds of beauty.
Speaking to the BBC, Xueli explained that the campaign was called “Perfect Imperfections.” The designer asked if she would like to join a fashion show in Hong Kong, and Xueli said it turned out to be an amazing experience.
People with albinism often face stigma, discrimination, and prejudice because of their appearance. In some parts of the world, harmful myths even claim their bones have magical or medicinal powers, which can place them in danger.
Reflecting on this, Xueli once said, “I’m lucky I was only abandoned.”
She has also shared that it makes her sad when models with albinism are cast only as angels, ghosts, or other unusual characters instead of being seen as ordinary people.
Despite these challenges, Xueli’s life began to change for the better. A photographer from London recognized her potential and supported her career, treating her with the professionalism and respect every model deserves. Their collaboration led to a remarkable milestone—Xueli appeared in the June 2019 issue of Vogue Italia.
Looking back, she admitted she didn’t realize at first how significant that opportunity was.
“I didn’t know how important the magazine was at the time,” she said. “It took a while to understand why everyone was so excited.”
She also spoke about how the fashion industry is slowly becoming more inclusive.
“There are still many tall and very thin models,” she explained, “but now people with disabilities or differences are appearing more often in the media. That’s great—but it should simply be normal.”
Because her eyesight is affected by albinism, Xueli says she often focuses less on appearance and more on what people say and how they sound.
“Maybe because I can’t see everything clearly, I pay more attention to people’s voices and what they have to say,” she explained. “For me, someone’s inner beauty matters more.”
Today, Xueli hopes to change how the world views people with albinism. Through modeling and public speaking, she wants to raise awareness and show that albinism is a genetic condition—not something mysterious or cursed.
She also encourages people to use respectful language, explaining that it’s better to say “a person with albinism” rather than labeling someone simply as “an albino.”
Xueli is determined to use her voice to make a difference.
“I won’t accept a world where children are harmed because they have albinism,” she said. “I want to help change the world.”
Her journey—from being abandoned as a baby to becoming an international model—shows incredible strength and determination. We wish this snow-white beauty continued success and hope her story helps others see the beauty and value in every human being.
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