Albino sisters Asel and Kamila Kalaganova, born 12 years apart in Kazakhstan, defy the odds of albinism, a condition occurring in 1 in 3,000 to 1 in 20,000 births, depending on the country.
Kamila, aged two, has an older sister, Asel, who is 14. In their family, Asel’s brother Aldiyar, aged eight, has a more typical Kazakh appearance.
Asel shared, “People are surprised that we are albino people. Many people do not know what albinos are.”
Aiman Sarkitov, their mother, was shocked when she first saw Asel. Even the doctors initially suspected controversy, speculating about an ethnically Russian father.
At ten, Asel embarked on a photo modeling career. With Kamila’s arrival and captivating family photos, Asel, now a teenager with 33K followers, has generated even more attention.
“When I gave birth to my eldest, genetics was not so developed with us. It is developing only now,” the mother noted.
“The doctors were shocked and thought that she was Russian. Then I started reading about this matter, I have learned that my children are albinos,” she added.
“At the very beginning, everyone was shocked, surprised. I did not know what to do myself, how to live,” Aiman reflected. Over time, she learned that some of her ancestors also had albinism.
The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation highlights that individuals with albinism often have fair skin, emphasizing the need to protect against sun damage to the skin and eyes. The albino sisters are well aware of this and take necessary precautions.
As Asel mentioned, “If I go outside in the afternoon, then I definitely apply sunscreen, put on clothes to protect my skin, headgear or use an umbrella. In the evening, when there is almost no sun, it’s much easier for me.”
In her youth, Asel enrolled in a school designed for handicapped children. Eventually, she transitioned to a mainstream school.
“She studies perfectly well,” her mother affirmed. “Albinos do not differ much from other children, only their hair, eyelashes, eyes, and skin color.”
“At first, it was difficult, of course, the children stared at her. Now she feels good, we do not limit her to anything.”
Aiman noted her son’s skin mirrored his father’s, describing him as genuinely Kazakh with a dark complexion.
While Aldiyar initially had no inquiries about his elder albino sisters, questions arose with the arrival of the second. He wondered, “Mum, why are they like that? Why am I not like them, not like my sisters?”
Aiman addressed her son’s concerns, fostering a sense of family unity. “He realizes that people are looking at the girls, and even begins to boast, proudly telling people about his unique sisters.”
