Young Boy Battles Albinism & Autism

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - A metro Detroit family is blessed with triplets. Two of them share a rare genetic condition, but it's the disorder you can't see that's the family's biggest challenge.

No one ever guesses that the Haddad children, six-year-olds Nicolas, Kylee and Lucas, are triplets. "Two of my children were born with very, very light, white hair and blue eyes.... My husband was very light as a child and we thought nothing of it," said Terri Haddad.

However, as the tiny babies grew, doctors discovered something. Kylee and Lucas have a rare condition called oculocutaneous albinism. They have no pigment in their skin, hair or eyes.

"They are light sensitive (and) have to be careful in the sun. They're going to have some vision issues. Developmentally they are normal developing children as intelligent as any other child," Terri Haddad said.

So, armed with glasses and sun protective clothing, the young family adjusted. However, they soon realize something is wrong with Lucas.

"We started noticing Lucas having developmental issues, which has nothing to do with the albinism," said Terri Haddad.

As it turns out, this little boy with the light skin and white hair would have to face another challenge. He has autism, but perhaps surprisingly, the family isn't devastated by the news.

"I don't remember having a breakdown when it came to the diagnosis of autism. I think we both knew," Terri Haddad said.

With triplets, two with albinism and one with autism as well, Albert Haddad quickly learned coping means accepting.

"When you fully grasp that's my kid and i'm happy and i'm okay with who that kid is today, not yesterday or tomorrow but today," said Albert Haddad.

Now, Lucas has a team of specialists, including a speech language pathologist and a play project coordinator. Together, they teach Lucas how to communicate through reading and play.

"We do what the child wants and then they love to be with us. The more they love to be with us, the more engaged they are and then the more available they are to learn," said Play Project Coordinator Adam Brode.

As with most children with autism, struggling to communicate can become extremely frustrating, but with challenges there are triumphs, too, and in the end a unique family with the right attitude.

"You can't solve it. What you can help to do is embrace it and move forward with your child and your family," Albert Haddad said.

Part of Terri Haddad's passion is giving back. So, she has teamed up with a jeweler friend to create a line of puzzle piece jewelry to benefit autism awareness. 25-percent of proceeds from the sale of the pieces will benefit the Autism Society of Michigan. You can make a purchase at one of the following stores:

Abilities Center
Commerce Place
2075 E. West Maple
Suite B-204
Walled Lake, MI 48390

Fringe Salon
6231 Orchard Lake Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
(248) 539-2259

Kaufman Children's Center
6625 Daly Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
(248) 737-3430

So Zen Designs
32751 Franklin Road
Franklin, MI 48025
(248) 752-0995