PRESS RELEASE

One in 20,000 people in the UK live their lives with albinism, a misunderstood and rare genetic condition that causes a difference of appearance. People with the condition lack the pigment melanin in their skin, hair and eyes. They also have a significant visual impairment with many registered as blind or partially sighted people.

The lives of 12 people with albinism are uniquely portrayed by Archie Roy, Robin Spinks and Rick Guidotti in ‘Real Lives’. Their book applies a very innovative combination of in-depth personal interviews and highly photographic lifestyle portrayals.

The personal, educational and wider social aspects of albinism are explored from the inside with each person telling their own individual life story of living with this condition. Each person describes their journey from early childhood to adulthood and from the experience of negativity and prejudice through to self acceptance and personal fulfilment.

This unique photographic book is likely to have a wide appeal across a variety of audiences: people with albinism, parents and family members, education professionals, social workers, sociologists, and health and eye care specialists. All will find an easy-to-read, illuminating and thought provoking resource which addresses the important issues pertaining to albinism. The publishers, Albinism Fellowship, are also keen for the book to reach as many of the general public as possible since they want to raise people’s awareness of genetic conditions.

The press and civic launch of ‘Real Lives’ will be held in Edinburgh on Friday 18 November 2005.

‘Real Lives: Personal and Photographic Perspectives on Albinism’ available from Albinism Fellowship at www.albinism.org.uk
Contact Robin Spinks, Media Relations Co-ordinator on (07919) 543 518