By Fiona Tovey
As you may have heard, this month is Disability Pride Month and we are boldly, standing-up to ableism’s deeply-rooted, social stereotypes with a deep insight into who and what people with disabilities really are – a diverse and beautiful aspect of humanity. While we appreciate that social biases cannot be instantly erased with the stroke of a pen, inclusive representation allows us to make a quintessential leap towards building integrity, empowerment, and self-determination for every individual with a disability.
We shine the spotlight on Xueli Abbing, the Vogue model who despite facing challenges because of Albinism – exhibits an ethereal, beauty that is both unique as it is rare; one of kind you might say. Catching a glimpse of her turning the tables on social discrimination for a new generation is beyond inspiring.
Growing pains: No Red Flag
As we meet Xueli, it is clear from her candescent, demeanour that she is nothing less than a beacon of hope. As her story unravels, we are transported into her teenage, euphoric world. It’s hard to believe that this confident, blonde, blue-eyed bombshell from Xuchang, China was tragically abandoned by her birth parents and left outside an orphanage without a note explaining why. Xueli, whose name means “snow” (Xue) “beautiful” (Li), was adopted by a Dutch family who decided it fit her perfectly. Her journey to the Netherlands was certainly a blessing in disguise. Now she can parade her female prowess as a celebrity model who continues in her campaign to raise awareness about inclusive representation for people with disabilities.
Growing up in the Netherlands, Xueli only narrowly escaped feeling like she was different. Rarely did she feel concerned about her appearance or conscious of the fact that she stood out. Then something happened that opened her eyes forever. She says,
“I was in the supermarket and a man asked me, “why are you wearing sunglasses?” Then they asked my adoptive mum, “why do you paint your child’s hair white?” The experience left me wondering, why do people consult others in front of my face? And why does it matter what I do, or how I look?”
Although, as a teenager, Xueli mentions that she was never conventionally bullied, she admits that there were of course times when she recalls feeling left out due to her condition. “Teachers would focus on what I could not do,” she says, “sometimes, it felt like I just existed, but I wasn’t really known as me.”
She recalls, “I remember one time in gym class, kids were picking teams and I was the last person left on the bench, it made me feel so useless. Ironically, I was a Blue belt in Judo and was training as an athlete on the National Paralympic team, but I just thought, what’s the point in showing off? I put my head down and pretended to be one of the crowd.”
Xueli’s stoical outlook is one that we admire and her message is something we can all relate to, since everyone has experienced rejection at some point in life. Her mantra is: It’s important to remember that if people want to judge wrongly, ultimately, it becomes their loss in the end. Her success, in the face of such heart-breaking circumstances just goes to prove this is a profound truth.
Finding My Identity
When Xueli moved to the Netherlands, her adoptive mother was always honest with her about the superstitious traditions of Chinese culture. In China, there is a myth that babies with Albinism are viewed as a “curse” to a family. Yet, this realism is what gave Xueli the strength to re-write her own narrative. She says,
“I’ve always been realistic about my situation, and this helped me tell my story. It is painful but these days, I can accept that this is my story without getting overwhelmed.”
We empathise with Xueli’s story as we know rejection can be so painful, and it is not an experience that any human being should have to go through, especially not one so young as Xueli. However, her optimistic demeanour and gratitude for being posited in a culture where individuality is portrayed as everything, and self-expression is prioritised – makes her story somewhat of a rescue mission. She reveals at length how finding her true identity has been a real journey. She says,
“People ask me, “how do you cope with “being unique?” I wouldn’t say like I’ve mastered it, rather, I’m starting to embrace myself more as time goes on. But like any teenager, I have days where I feel insecure and don’t feel comfortable leaving the house.”
Normatively, Western society upholds a concept of beauty that is strongly shaped by sub-culture, social media trends and often shallow perceptions, yet Xueli passionately believes that every face and story has its own beauty. She reflects,
“Having blue eyes or brown hair isn’t what makes you more attractive, nor does skinny qualify you, rather it’s how you live your life and what you do for others after what you have been through that can make you a beautiful person.”
Whenever a photographer pays her a compliment about her blue eyes, she assumes it’s because “it’s just just not something they expect to see on an Asian girl.” However, she always appreciates people trying their best to be open-minded. From a young women to another, Xueli sympathises with girls who constantly find themselves falling into the trap of self-comparison. She reflects,
“These days, so many people fixate on one body part and obsessively compare themselves to Instagram celebrities. But think of your heart, mind, and thoughts, if they are moral and compassionate, you become a person who does the right thing, then “beauty” is something that will naturally happen to you.”
Many of us suffer from body consciousness or feeling overwhelmed by the opinions of others, which has been exacerbated by more time spent on social media during lockdown. However, Xueli is a breath of fresh air, we think the way she “owns her power” is impressive. She canvases such strength and grace in how she postures as well as how she gives a voice to her pragmatic views. She insists, “If we refuse to let our insecurities hold us back, we can use them as a tool to create beauty and wonder.”
To people who wrestle with imposter syndrome, or feel ashamed because they have been labelled as “different” by society, Xueli hopes to give a modicum of strength by saying,
“Everyone has been rejected by someone but believe in your dreams no matter what and take steps to believing that you can do anything that you want in life. It is possible but it starts by you believing it.”
Disability - The Last Taboo left to Break
Since becoming a model, Xueli has been ushered into the precarious fashion world, yet she seems to have found her way and still has a strong sense of purpose. She reveals, “I know that I am fulfilling my purpose on this earth whenever I make a difference and change people’s perceptions about people with disabilities, who grew up like me.”
Her desire is to show the world that having a disability is not a reason to be ashamed but a means to contribute to the greater good of society. She says,
“There are currently a lot of lies spread about people with Albinism. In Tanzania, children with Albinism are kidnapped by witchdoctors as their bones are believed to have healing properties, it’s not safe. It’s important we fight against these myths and superstitions for their future.”
This audacious teenager, definitely doesn’t strike us as a femme who is enamoured by the walls of fame. She boldly expresses,
“It’s about making sure the other person’s purpose supports your intentions. People talk about what it’s like being in a famous magazine like Vogue, but I’m not interested in glamorising a stereotype. People with Albinism are often portrayed by photographers as angels, but I want people to be see me for who I am. They need to know that we are human just like everyone else.”
The stereotypes projected by the fashion world can be intimidating and fast fashion magazines easily capture the perceptions of young, impressionable women growing up. We all know the dysfunctionality caused by eating disorders and the fact this is ever encouraged by anyone is unacceptable. Disability, on the other hand, is rarely mentioned in the industry at all, or even under the radar.
Xueli is quick to assure us that the winds of change are coming and lives by the motto that we all can inspire others, if we are prepared to change our perception about when an opportunity is there. Her early success presented itself as a fortunate stroke of serendipity, she says, “Before I appeared in Vogue Italia, I really had no idea how famous it was in the world of fashion.”
“I think there has definitely been a paradigm shift in recent times with influences such as the body positive movement and Black life matters. But there is a lot more work to be done. Disability is ‘the last taboo’ we have to break in the industry.”
Challenging social perceptions
Interestingly, Xueli interprets the word “different” as a concept that applies to everyone and everything, she thinks therefore that it should not be used as a trending label. She says,
“We keep on talking about people being “different” but what does it really mean? Labelling someone, “different” just means we have forgotten their humanity. They are just a normal person who possesses the same right to live in society and with a need to feel accepted like you and me. Ok, so it is a trend right now to portray people with different features but what will happen after this trend stops? Will we start to find it normal that people who are regarded as “different” are the new standard?”
Xueli is becoming a voice for all those with disabilities within the modelling industry, and it is infinitely inspiring to hear her advocating a more inclusive society too. The way she champions forward-thinking shows just how much she wants people to recognise the importance of diversity. She challenges,
“If every individual can find a way to realise that the way they are is beautiful, regardless of colour, ethnicity, age, height or gender, then it’s an achievement because that’s when we become the most powerful versions of ourselves.”
The power of change-makers is quintessential to our society when navigating a post-covid situation. New ways of thinking are called for, especially, in the face of unprecedented and unforeseen challenges we will all encounter. It’s fearless people like Xueli who remind us about the aura of possibility and what we need to create for a hopeful future. She says,
“When we dare to use what makes us stand out for the good of others, miracles do happen. All imperfections, differences and even our disabilities can provoke change, as much as our talents and achievements.”
In Xueli’s eyes, this is just the beginning and there is abundantly more we can do to help people with disabilities, or to inspire those who feel different to be more confident and give strength. She continues to boldly question the status quo,
“While society has got a lot better at recognising the importance of ‘inclusivity’, it’s important to ask ourselves, are we doing enough? What can we do to become even more inclusive and encourage greater diversity?”
“By listening and giving more representation to others, we can make a significant difference to those who wouldn’t otherwise receive recognition. Any person who does not accept others, just because they are “different” needs to think more deeply about what it means to be a human being. Feeling left out, judged or misunderstood is not something that anyone needs to go through.”
Becoming a Change maker in 2021
Xueli reveals that this year, she will be involved in several exciting, projects aiming to tackle the issues of inclusivity and diversity, especially for people who have been excluded by their societies. Lobbying governments in Africa who fail to provide protection for children with Albinism is top of her list. However, she doesn’t see herself as a hero. It’s nice to know that humility is the jewel that’s keeping her grounded. She is married to the idea that change happens when people unite and make their vision for progress a reality. She rallies the crowds for change in 2021 by saying,
“Together we must take action to show people who feel left, or those who do not have a good start in life and who live in poverty, whoever it is that faces discrimination, especially people with Albinism that the future can be different.”
Fiona Tovey
Fiona is a bubbly, fashion, culture & lifestyle journalist with a flair for sharing the legacies of the audacious, the champions and change-makers in our society. You can find her lost in a world of words, or on instagram @Fiona_Tovey
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