著者
矢吹 康夫
出版者
日本オーラル・ヒストリー学会
雑誌
日本オーラル・ヒストリー研究 (ISSN:18823033)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.6, pp.169-189, 2010-09-12 (Released:2018-12-28)

Albinism is a rare genetic condition, resulting in the malfunction of producing the melanin pigment in the eyes, skin, and hair. A person with albinism has visual impairment, extreme sun sensitivity, and distinctive physical appearance. The symptom is very stable and will not become serious, so this condition cannot be considered a matter of life and death. In addition, there are bare minimum supports in order to avoid institutional and structural disadvantages. People with albinism have not been able to refer to any model stories and have been forced on bearing or coping with their troubles alone. Though their coping strategies are various and optional, they are ranked by whether they can contribute toward the members of the community or they have had to conform to the expectations of the society. This article will analyze interviews with an albino woman in order to focus on her coping strategies. She looks on her efforts made without exposing and explaining her identity, and then regards these strategies as norms. Therefore, she has lived in comfort by maintaining silence and liberated herself from the terms of ranking the coping strategies through her "going my way" strategy of caring for herself first of all.