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Follow on from when I started my site in November 2000
Since I made this site in November 2000 I didnââ⚬ââ¢t really expect all that many people to be interested or visit at all. So it came as a complete shock when I realized I had been visited around 10,000 times.
I get many emails from people of all different backgrounds all over the world telling me about themselves and their stories. I am honoured that people feel they are able to do this, but at the same time saddened that SO MANY of you say my story is a reflection of their life so far. Obviously it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from Albinism still is never truly accepted nor understood no matter what.
This is just a brief update as to what I have been doing since a couple years ago. I seem to have done many amazing things and changed SO much recently I sometimes look in the mirror and think back to what I used to be like and how I used to feel and can't quite believe the same person is staring back at me!
I decided to go off to America in Late December of 2000 to do an internship at a residential treatment centre in Brewster New York. I am not really sure what inspired me to do so, I came across the website for Green Chimneys, read some of the tragic stories of these kids and knew I had to help out. So I promptly sent off my resume, had an interview and flew over to America in what was one of the worst blizzards they had seen in a while.
The whole experience was just something words cant really describe. I worked one on one with very emotionally and psychologically disturbed kids. I taught horseback riding and helped them build relationships and trust with the horses they rode and took care of. It was hard work and initially I was very scared of working with these kids as I had never been in contact with such a group before, their lives were a far cry from my middle class, white upbringing in rural England. I quickly saw passed their violent outbursts, hard facades and hyperactivity. At which point the true child shone through: Very scared kids who just wanted to be loved and have a childhood like anyone else.
I grew close relationships with many of the kids I worked with but particularly with one seven year old boy who had albinism as well. I cant go in to his past for legal reasons but when I read his chart and he told me about his short little life I wept with sadness. However, the courage in this little blue eyed boy with his huge smile just bowled me over and I fell in love with his personality instantly. We had many happy times and seemed to have a bond he didn't with other members of staff, pupils or teachers. He went from being an emotionless, untactile, hyperactive little sole when I first met him to being full of love and warmth six months later when I left.
My time at Green Chimneys was fantastic I made the most amazing friends and had some of the happiest times so far.
In early June I headed just down the road to CT to work at a YMCA camp as a head counsellor, I was finding it hard to detach from the very needy kids I left behind at Green Chimneys and change my focus on to very spoiled rich kids. However, as it was my second year running doing this job I knew money didn't buy everything and it was only a matter of time before I had a messed up little munchkin in my arms.
The work at camp was very hard with little time off, stress began to show quickly and three months later when it was time to leave, I was so ready for it! I went travelling for about three weeks with some friends I met at camp, we went up and down the east coast and had an absolute blast.
I came home in September to a bit of a culture shock and some sadness which I am still trying to get over now. However, I am now working for BBC TV here in London
So here you go......I didn't make this too deep or philosophical I felt I had done that earlier on in this site. I am very happy with how my life is now turning out and would not change any of it.For me now itââ⚬ââ¢s about looking to the future, to challenge the world and know that whatever it takes I am going to get the same opportunities and chances out of life as everyone else. Take care reader and remember if I can do whatever I wish with my life, ao ANYONE can!
Kristina Venning September 2002
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