Let’s start at the very beginning, how would you explain to the reader what it means to be an albino and what problems it entails?
Albinism is a genetic condition. There are different types of albinism that can affect the skin, eyes, or both. In my case they are both oculocutaneous. This means that we have a lack of melanin, but what not everyone knows is that this leads to a major visual impairment as our eyes cannot focus. There is constant movement in the eyes because they are trying to focus and we have photophobia because all the light is coming in. I lead a completely normal life, but there are more complicated things due to my visual impairment. I always think that what matters is everyone’s attitude towards life.
In 2016, ‘See?’ He wrote the short film. to illustrate everyday situations faced by albino people. How is your day today?
In the short film, I’m telling you that when you go shopping, you already know how things work in the supermarket. But when the supermarket is remodeled, you have more time to find the product you’re looking for. Maybe you meet someone who will pick you up and you get into the wrong car. When you run into a friend in a cafeteria, it gives you solid reinforcement because if it’s a crowded place, he’ll find you sooner.
Still, she studied journalism and is an actress.
Whether you have a disability or not, whoever wants something will fight for it. Dreams move you a lot. Ever since I was little, I always wanted to be an actor. I came to Madrid ten years ago to dedicate myself professionally to this and combine that with journalism. I’m very happy on stage or on a movie set and that can do anything.
He attended the ‘Cáscaras vacías’ performance in Madrid to explain the plight of the disabled in Nazi Germany. Did you realize there is still much to change in society?
I came to Madrid to take an interpreting course for people with disabilities. I met very friendly people there. A festival called ‘A Different Perspective’ was held at the National Drama Center and workshops were held here. I did a workshop and ‘Empty Shells’ came up. It was a pioneer game because it was the first game with disabled players and the regular program to mention disabled people. It was a before and after on the Spanish scene. It was a privilege to be a part of this change. There is much more to be done but this was the first small step taken. Maybe it’s time for things to start changing.
Have you noticed that you are treated differently?
Yes, for example, they said that I could not study at a school because I could not see well. They said that my eyes move a lot during casting. I haven’t heard this for years. This has changed. Even if they do, they now see that it is not politically correct to say that. Things are changing. Bad things happen, but good things happen too. Now they are considering choosing albino people. Not even remotely before. If they want an albino, they put on a white wig and that’s it. The characters I’ve chosen now are, as I said, a yuyu-giving albino, but that’s a market niche, at least currently under consideration. That road is being built, much remains, but at least the doors are slowly opening.
Do they only call you when the role fits your profile?
Exactly the same. I’m fighting for normalization to be able to pick characters for which my albinism is one more characteristic, but that’s not what defines them or their main conflict. Obviously, if they told me they were going to write a movie with an albino female character with their conflict, I would do it because Spain still has to go through there to make albinism visible. But being able to choose characters with millions of conflicts would be one small step before, and albinism was another trait.
We see people in wheelchairs or with some kind of disability, but not albino actors or actresses.
They don’t call. When they have to play the role of a wheelchair user, they take a wheelchair user because they believe that the wheelchair does not exist and exists. There are albinos too, but there is a savage ignorance. We need the union to open their eyes: directors, screenwriters, producers… They all need to open their eyes. If a producer wants a character they don’t shy away from, but the script isn’t written, we close the doors. It is necessary to look at people’s abilities. If you like how he does it, then just include this variety in the script. We must all do our part.
Do you think the producers are trying to fill this participation quota?
I understand that small producers get more points if they document that they have diversity in the team. Affirmative action is necessary, even if it’s to fill the quota, it gives us jobs, and the way they discover that diverse person is that there comes a time when quota is not necessary, and so are they. They are born to be included in diverse people. To get to this point, it is necessary to reward them. You may think there is a quota, but at least I have a job.
I understand that all this will have repercussions on a psychological level.
Like everyone else, we have good days and less good days. We all deal with our insecurities. There is a typical conflict about whether I’m in the making because I’ve filled a quota or because they really want me to be. In the end, I will do my job well so that they are happy and I am satisfied. Maybe I am too happy to work. It’s where I had the best time. Like everyone else, we have good and bad days, but first of all I will do what I love and this is an opportunity to meet new people and a new job can come from there.
Do you feel more pressured or do you need to prove more than others?
It’s a pressure I put on myself. I made no reference to actresses who had albinism as a child. I had no one to reflect on. At first when they tell you, you think if you can’t see you can’t see or if the light bothers you you can’t be on stage, maybe you can’t, but that’s what I want. and what makes me happy. Somehow, I put that pressure on myself because I want to be a reference for people who come after it and see it’s possible, even though there is so much more to do. You can try if you want. Sometimes I wonder why I put these pressures on myself. Maybe one day I’ll have to stop because I’m in pain. Yes, I have the power to keep that spirit alive for future generations who want to devote themselves to it.
presents the draw eleven. How do you think these projects make your situation visible?
There was a before and after. They told me that I was the first disabled presenter on state television. Something very important to me. I think it’s great that they made inclusivity visible because my partner doesn’t have a disability. We are both working on the same thing, people see that we are doing the same thing and on equal terms. He can read the text and I need to learn it too, but the result is the same.