Mom boosts albino daughter’s confidence with daily affirmations

By Ellie Fawcett via SWNS

This mom helps her albino daughter boost her confidence with affirmations each morning.

Dami Azubuike was "shocked" when her daughter Berachah, now two, was born with albinism - a congenital absence of pigment in the skin and hair.

The 28-year-old welcomed the tot on in December 2021, with husband Michael Azubuike, 39, a music teacher.

The Nigerian couple were shocked to discover their first born had light skin and gold hair.

Within a few hours the newborn was diagnosed with albinism, leaving Dami ''concerned'' about how people would respond to her daughter's condition.

However, to ensure Berachah grows up with high self-esteem, she encourages her two-year-old to say daily positive affirmations.

Each morning, Berachah recites the mantra "I'm bold, I'm smart, I'm beautiful, I'm strong, I'm powerful".

Dami hopes that these affirmations will encourage Berachah to be confident and resilient should she face any bullying or discrimination growing up.

Dami, from Lagos, Nigeria, said: "I want her to know that she is beautiful and unique.

"I was worried when she was first born, because I don't know anyone else with albinism and I didn't know how people would react when they saw her.

"But everyone loves her and have been so supportive.

"She says her affirmations every day - if I forget to tell her to do them, she'll remind me.

"Sometimes when she's doing her hair, I'll hear her telling herself that she is beautiful.

"I'm so proud of her and I want her to know that there are no limitations to what she can achieve."

Dami fell pregnant in March 2021 and struggled with "horrendous" morning sickness during the first trimester.

She started to feel better after three months, and the rest of her pregnancy went by "without a hitch".

It wasn't until she gave birth at Lagos Hospital, Nigeria, on December 27, 2021, that medics released something was wrong.

Berachah Oluwafirejimi Azubuike was quickly diagnosed with albinism after being born with fair skin and hair.

Despite being a hereditary condition, albinism does not run in either Dami or Michael's family, leaving the first-time parents "stunned".

"There's lots of myths around albinism in Nigeria so at first I was scared," Dami said.

"Some people say albinos can only see at night and can't eat salt - which obviously isn't true.

"I don't know anyone with the condition so I really didn't know what to expect."

The parents were "relieved" when doctors revealed the tot's albinism was mild, and it was unlikely she would suffer from related medical complications such as reduced vision or skin cancer.

She has since passed frequent eye tests, and her proud parents say that she is hitting all her milestones.

Dami, a stay-at-home-mom, said: "We were worried that she might be colour blind, but she seems to be able to see just fine.

"She's doing really well at school and doesn't appear to be behind.

"She's a fast talker, people are surprised that she's only two.

"As she grows up, she'll keep having appointments with the optician to monitor her eye sight."

While the response to her daughter's albinism has been primarily positive, Dami admitted she "worries" about how Berachah will be treated as she grows up.

To build up her confidence, the youngster says daily affirmations to reinforce her self-worth.

"If she asks me why she looks different when she grows up, I'll explain that she's beautiful and unique," Dami said.

"She's the center of attention wherever we go, everyone loves her.

"But people can be unkind, so it's important to me that she knows how special and loved she is, which is why we taught her to say her daily affirmations.

"The affirmations have already improved her confidence.

"Whenever she looks in the mirror, she says 'mommy, I'm beautiful' so the affirmations are clearly working.

"I want to bring her up to be confident, and now she inspires me.

"She makes me so proud."