Light sensitive - Alice and Tracey

Alice talks to her mum Tracey about having Xeroderma Pigmentosum.

Animator: Yaxi Zhang
Course: BA Computer Character Animation at Teesside University

Yaxi says: it was the first time I heard about “Xeroderma Pigmentosum”, and I was attracted by Alice’s experience immediately. As a nine-year-old girl, she should play, run and laugh. She should have a happy childhood, but she has to hide from sunshine and face death every day. There are so many pleasure of life that she has to give up.

I was amazed by how strong and clam she is, and how peacefully she and her family accept their life.

It’s the word “light”. When we talk about light, this word allows people to associate with the beautiful, warm things. For most people light means hope and future. But it’s different for Alice. Light may let her die. It is her nightmare and also what she desires. It’s so unusual and heart breaking. For me, when there is something unusual, there might be a good story. I can imagine a little girl rolling in a dark corner with her teddy bear, staying away from window. A little girl that is a ‘bookaholic’ with an amazing imagination.

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