The story of Xueli Abbing is both heart-wrenching and inspiring—a powerful reminder that true beauty, worth, and purpose are never determined by where or how we begin life. Born in China with albinism, Xueli was left at the door of an orphanage as an infant. Her parents abandoned her, convinced she appeared too “different” to belong in society.
For many children born with albinism, life is a constant struggle against stigma, discrimination, and sometimes even violence. In some regions, harmful myths depict them as cursed, and tragically, some are hunted for their bones. For Xueli, survival itself was a victory. “I’m lucky I was only abandoned,” she later reflected.
A Name Full of Meaning
At the orphanage, she was assigned the name Xueli—carefully selected for its meaning. In Chinese, Xue means “as white as snow,” and Li means “beautiful.” Together, her name became a symbol of resilience: snow-white beauty. Even in rejection, Xueli was given a name that honored her uniqueness.
Albinism affects melanin production in the skin, hair, and eyes, causing challenges like sunlight sensitivity and vision difficulties. Yet for Xueli, her difference became a source of strength.