ROME: Teenage sisters Matilde and Angelica Aureli, who have albinism, face unique challenges in Italy's sweltering temperatures, and must take extra care to protect their fair complexions and delicate eyesight.
Matilde, 17, and Angelica, 15, say it is risky to their health to be outside from about 6 or 7 in the morning until 9 in the evening, and they only leave their home in Rome with hats, dark sunglasses, and black-lined UV sun protection umbrellas.
"When I leave the house, it's obvious that I feel different from others, because the sun bothers my eyes a lot, and let's say it's a much more complicated situation than at home," said Angelica.
Albinism is a genetic condition characterised by a lack of the protective pigment melanin in the hair, skin and eyes. This leaves people especially vulnerable to exposure to sunlight and, according to international health authorities, can increase visual impairment and susceptibility to skin cancer.
Beatrice Gueli, the mother of the Aureli sisters, said her daughters need to have regular skin checks.
Italian authorities have issued red alerts for 16 cities, including Rome, with a new heatwave set to begin on July 15.
Meteorologists predict that temperatures in the upcoming week may surpass Europe's current record of 48.8 degrees Celsius (119.84 Fahrenheit), set in Sicily in August 2021.
The trend of rising temperatures is unnerving for the sisters.
"In the summer, it is getting hotter year by year... it's actually very scary as an experience because for people with albinism, the sun keeps getting worse. And it is getting brighter and it is a problem," said Matilde.
"I'll continue to go out in the evening... Already during the day I opt for places with air conditioning or indoors."
According to the United Nations, 1 in 5,000 people in Sub-Saharan Africa and 1 in 20,000 people in Europe and North America have albinism.
Reuters
Sun Jul 30 2023
Sisters with albinism and professional models Angelica, 15, and Matilde Aureli,17, enjoy time with their mother Beatrice Gueli and their dogs in a living room, in Rome, Italy. - REUTERS
Pelaburan RM2.4 bilion dibawa masuk ke Terengganu - MB
Sebanyak RM2.4 bilion nilai pelaburan yang berpotensi sedang dibawa masuk ke Terengganu setakat bulan April ini.
PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu: Kelayakan akademik bukan isu calon PN - Pas
Kempen PN sempena PRK Kuala Kubu Baharu tidak akan terjejas berikutan isu yang mengaitkan kelayakan akademik calonnya, Khairul Azhari Saut.
Peniaga nasi kukus raih jualan RM14,000 sebulan
Inisiatif Pendapatan Rakyat (IPR) mampu merubah graf pendapatan bulanan peserta apabila meningkatkan hasil jualan.
Piala Uber: Malaysia tewas kepada Taiwan
Malaysia memulakan kempen Kumpulan B Piala Uber 2024 mereka dengan langkah kiri apabila tewas 1-4 kepada Taiwan, di sini hari ini.
Imigresen tahan dalang warga Indonesia, jual produk kosmetik tanpa kelulusan KKM
Jabatan Imigresen menahan seorang wanita warga Indonesia berusia 50 tahun disyaki menjadi dalang penjualan produk kosmetik dan kecantikan yang tidak mendapat kelulusan KKM.
Sheriff: 9 hari tayangan, kaut RM28 juta!
Filem arahan Syafiq Yusof, Sheriff: Narko Intergriti kini meraih kutipan sebanyak RM28 juta dalam 9 hari tayangan.
Jaheaik sudah panggil artis wanita tular buat persembahan - Exco
Jaheaik sudah panggil artis wanita tular buat persembahan - Exco
KidDin bergabung jawab segala isu Konsert Search 'Gemuruh'
KONSERT Search 'Gemuruh' nampaknya semakin diperkatakan disebabkan beberapa isu yang ditimbulkan sehari dua ini.
Penunjuk perasaan Palestin tempelak wartawan AS
Mereka menuduh wartawan A.S sembunyikan dan berikan gambaran salah mengenai perang di Gaza.
Lawatan ke Riyadh: Blinken melawat Arab Saudi esok
Setiausaha Negara Amerika Syarikat, Antony Blinken akan melawat Arab Saudi pada Isnin untuk bertemu dengan rakan serantau dan membincangkan usaha mencapai gencatan senjata di Gaza dan pembebasan tebusan Israel.
Ras Adiba cadang golongan albino dimasukkan dalam kategori OKU
Ras Adiba berkata, individu dengan albinism adalah antara golongan rentan yang sering dilupakan oleh semua pihak.