Against all odds, Shannon Conarty, a resilient 22-year-old from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, has defied medical predictions by giving birth to a miraculous albino baby. Diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) at the tender age of 15, Shannon was informed that her chances of conceiving naturally were a mere 10%. Undeterred, she persevered for three long years, hoping for a positive outcome. To her astonishment, the carer received the incredible news that she was pregnant. In September 2018, Shannon welcomed her precious baby girl, Ava, into the world, who is now a thriving four-month-old.
"Becoming a mother has always been my lifelong dream," Shannon expresses with overwhelming joy.
Ava, with her distinctive white hair and crimson eyes, feels like an extraordinary miracle to Shannon, especially after being diagnosed with albinism.
Albinism, a condition caused by defective genes inherited from parents, affects approximately one in 17,000 individuals worldwide, according to the National Institutes of Health. This disorder, characterized by a lack of melanin in the body, can impact both eyesight and skin color.
Shannon and her partner, Tom Kane, embarked on their journey to conceive a baby during Shannon's late teens.
Reflecting on their experience, Shannon shares, "We fell in love, and when I revealed that my chances of having children were unlikely, Tom was incredibly understanding." Their determination led them to start trying for a baby when Shannon was 18, but unfortunately, she never became pregnant.
"The disappointment of getting my period each month was devastating," Shannon recalls. "The thought of never being able to have children weighed heavily on me, and I found myself sinking into a state of depression. We even discussed the possibility of undergoing IVF if I didn't conceive by the time I turned 25."
However, to their great surprise, in January 2018, after three years of trying, Shannon received the life-altering news that she was pregnant.
Filled with joy, Shannon reminisces, saying, "Tom and I were overjoyed with the news. Throughout my pregnancy, everything went smoothly, although I had additional scans for closer monitoring."
Reflecting on the challenges she faced, Shannon adds, "I experienced weight fluctuations, and the presence of ovarian cysts caused me significant pain. During that time, doctors disclosed that my fallopian tubes were covered in cysts, giving me a mere 10% chance of conceiving naturally."
Considering her age and circumstances, Shannon reveals, "Being still in high school at the time, I never really dwelled on the implications of these medical revelations."
When she [Ava] was born, I noticed she had red eyes and white hair, but thought nothing of it.”
The color of Ava’s eyes worried her health visitor when she was just two weeks old. A month after her birth, little Ava was given the diagnosis of albinism. According to Shannon, “We didn’t believe it.”
“Doctors told us it was very rare, as children get it from their parents, me and Tom are undergoing genetic testing to see which of us carries the gene.
“Ava will always have red eyes and white hair. We won’t fully understand the extent of her partial blindness and increased sensitivity to sunlight due to her albinism until she is older.”
But her unusual eye colour draws in strangers. Ms Conarty said: “Every time we leave the house, people comment how beautiful she is. But despite the admiring remarks, I do worry about her when she gets older.
“Due to her sight problems, she’ll be unable to drive and I worry about her being bullied at school.
“But me and Tom will raise her to love herself as she is. After all, she’s our little miracle!”
