When Stacy, a 31-year-old Nigerian woman, gave birth to her twin boys in February last year, little did she know the extraordinary journey that awaited her. Although Daniel and David were born just a few minutes apart, they couldn’t be more different in appearance. These adorable twins, the children of Stacy and Babajide, who are both black, often catch people’s attention due to their striking dissimilarity.
David, with his stunningly white skin and golden hair, stands in stark contrast to Daniel, whose dark, black curly hair resembles that of his 5-year-old sister, Demilade. The twins’ distinct features have earned them an impressive following of nearly 18,000 on Instagram in just one year.
Stacy recalls the surprising moment when her twins entered the world on February 26th. “We had no idea about their differences during my pregnancy. The scan didn’t reveal much, so it was an enormous surprise and the most incredible moment when Daniel came out with black hair and David with golden hair.
The doctors, after performing a C-section, mentioned that it seemed like I was having non-identical twins. Nurses couldn’t help but come out to get a look at them,” shares Stacy, a proud mother of three.
It was easy to distinguish the twins because of their contrasting skin tones. Stacy also shared her husband’s heartwarming reaction to this unexpected turn of events. “Their father was overwhelmed with joy and immediately named my twin 2, David, ‘Golden.’ To this day, he affectionately refers to him as Mr. Golden. He stared at them for more than ten minutes, marveling at God’s wonderful work and calling them his best gift ever.”
David, as it turns out, has albinism, an extremely rare condition affecting only one out of every 20,000 infants. Albinism is a congenital condition characterized by a lack of melanin, the pigment responsible for the color of the skin, hair, and eyes. It affects individuals of all races and ethnicities, influencing pigmentation to varying degrees.
Although albinism carries a birth probability of between 3,000 and 20,000, it comes with inherent risks such as skin and vision issues. Despite these challenges, Stacy reassures us that David is in good health, with his beautiful golden hair and fair complexion as a testament to his uniqueness.
Nigeria, unfortunately, has one of the highest rates of albinism in the world, with over two million confirmed or suspected cases. Tragically, members of this community still face stigma due to the color of their skin. It’s disheartening to learn that more than 600,000 Nigerians with albinism encounter discrimination and harassment from their peers, families, and communities, often resulting in difficulties finding employment and achieving academic success.
However, Stacy shares an encouraging tidbit – no one has ever made negative remarks about her two sons. “Whenever we go out, there are always side conversations. People often want to know more about how and why they look the way they do. Perhaps it’s their cute and endearing nature that makes others curious, prompting them to come closer and say hello.”
Remarkably, due to their unique features, the twins’ family has received modeling offers from agencies in the United Kingdom. The family is willing to embrace any opportunities that may come their way. They have even set up an Instagram account to share their joy and shed light on important issues. Stacy explains, “We decided to open this account to raise awareness because we believe they have a story to tell.”
Despite their physical differences, Daniel and David, who are now a year and a half old, share two amazing personalities. They are walking, playful toddlers who possess inquisitive minds. While Daniel is more expressive and a bit of a foodie, David is more reserved and has specific eating preferences. Daniel loves to play the role of the older brother, and they are both bursting with energy.
Let’s spread the word about this incredible family on social media and share their story with our family and friends. Their journey reminds us that beauty comes in all forms, and embracing uniqueness can lead to wonderful adventures.