A SCHOOLGIRL from Wrexham has been chosen to take part in a film marking the 150th anniversary of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

Xenya Lunt, aged nine, from Rhosrobin, shares her ambitions for the future in the short clip which is being used by the national charity for its online communications.

Xenya has albinism – a rare genetic condition which usually includes a high degree of visual impairment.

The Leader:

Xenya (right) features along with her sister Octavia (left) in the RNIB video

The body has no or very little melanin which results in very pale skin meaning Xenya has to wear lots of suncream and hats to protect her from sunlight.

Xenya, whose motto is ‘Nothing is impossible,’ also has nystagmus, a condition which causes constant uncontrollable movement of the eyes, and photophobia, which means she is sensitive to light.

Her mum, Michaela, said: "She was told that she would probably never ride a bike because she doesn't have a central balance. But at the age of six she bought a second-hand bike with her pocket money and was riding it by herself in two days."

Xenya's ambitions including training as a paramedic when she is older. On the film she spoke candidly about her approach to her sight difficulties and is seen talking about the issues with her younger sister Octavia, aged three.

The Leader:

She receives help from a sensory support leader at her school, Acton Primary, but her mother added: "She does pretty well to be fair. The RNIB wants people to be more aware of the problems partially-sighted children face and Xenya likes talking about her disability and how it will not stop her doing what she wants.

"She is very determined. She loves singing, dancing and acting. She wasn't at all shy when we went down to London to do the filming."

The RNIB wants to encourage people to see the person, not the sight loss and Xenya was among a group of children it worked with in Wales to create the uplifting film, which has now been uploaded to the charity's official web site.

The children talk about their ideal world with suggestions including 'glow in the dark’ food, cars with technology that will allow visually impaired people to drive and robots to assist with daily tasks.

A RNIB spokesman said: "It is clear the children don’t see their visual impairment as a barrier to achieving their dreams and fulfilling their potential. Xenya wants people to understand that not everybody can see as well as each other."

Eleanor Southwood, chairperson of RNIB, said: “It would be amazing to live in a world where blind and partially sighted people don’t have to think twice about being included. That’s why our commitment is to breaking down the barriers that still exist and making sure visually impaired children live in a society that enables them to fulfil their potential."

An estimated 107,000 people in Wales live with sight loss and this is expected to double over the next 20 years.