Winry Was Born With a Birthmark on Her Face, and Helps Other People Cope With Their Insecurities

Nicole Lucas Hall’s family lives a completely normal life. The woman works at a school, and she and her husband are building a house and raising 2 children, son Asher and daughter Winry. But in addition to these daily activities, the couple is actively involved in raising awareness about such an external feature as a congenital melanocytic nevus on social media because their baby girl was born with a big birthmark on her face.

At CHEERY, we believe that this family’s experience can inspire many people. Nicole not only makes the public aware of what a congenital melanocytic nevus is but also supports other parents whose children were born special.

Winry’s parents knew nothing about these birthmarks before she was born.

When Winry was born, her parents thought that the spot on her face was a bruise. Unlike Nicole’s first delivery, this childbirth was easy and fast. Nicole was happy because she could immediately hold her baby.

But after the first feeding, Nicole realized that the dark spot on her daughter’s face was not a bruise but a birthmark, and she had never seen anything like it before.

In the recovery room, a doctor visited the family and explained that Winry had a congenital melanocytic nevus. According to the doctor, such a birthmark was not harmful to health.

But to be on the safe side, it was necessary to observe the baby and conduct a few tests. Nicole and Shannon were relieved. But the young mother was still worried about how this birthmark could affect the future life of her daughter.

What is a melanocytic nevus?

A melanocytic nevus can appear on a child’s skin before birth and in the first months of their life. It is fairly common and usually doesn’t cause health problems.

Although in some cases, this nevus can carry the risk of transforming into skin cancer. Therefore, children with such birthmarks should undergo regular examinations by a dermatologist and other specialists. Most often, the presence of a melanocytic nevus doesn’t require any special therapy or surgical intervention.

This nevus is not a genetic condition, and any baby can be born with a similar birthmark. Children who have a melanocytic nevus are not recommended to spend a lot of time in the sun.

Before going outside, sunscreen should be applied and it’s advisable to wear clothes and a hat that protects the skin from the sun’s radiation. If a child feels insecure about their looks, a melanocytic nevus can be removed surgically.

Winry’s mother didn’t expect such an active response on social media when she started posting the photos of her daughter.

Nicole used to post photos of her family on social media even before the birth of her daughter. So she just continued doing this. And she didn’t expect such great attention to herself and Winry from other people.

But the girl’s parents decided to take advantage of this situation to tell others about melanocytic nevi. Moreover, they themselves hadn’t known anything about this skin condition until Winry was born.

Besides, most of the comments remain positive. And this is excellent psychological support to other children and adults with similar birthmarks, and any other special physical features.

Winry’s parents decided not to get the birthmark removed from her face.

The negative comments include the constantly arising question of why the girl’s parents don’t want to get the birthmark removed from her face. But Nicole and Shannon believe that Winry should make this decision herself.

The risk of developing skin cancer in such cases is minimal. The girl is under the supervision of a dermatologist and an ophthalmologist, and they didn’t recommend getting it removed.

Moreover, this process will require more than 5 surgeries, after which scars will remain on the girl’s face. So the parents stand their ground. When Winry grows up, she will decide for herself whether she wants to get rid of the birthmark or not.

Winry’s mother ignores offensive comments.

Nicole says that they only get negative comments online. But she believes that people who allow themselves to make such remarks either simply don’t understand the situation or are very shallow.

Winry’s mother doesn’t think that her daughter’s birthmark is the only thing that makes her special.

Some reporters have written that this birthmark is Winry’s superpower. Nicole doesn’t like this kind of statements very much. Her daughter is unique, and wonderful, and also has a birthmark on her face. But this is not only the thing that makes her special.

Nicole wants Winry to know that a melanocytic nevus doesn’t define her. Of course, the birthmark is part of her and attracts a lot of attention to her.

But the woman sees how her daughter’s unique character traits gradually appear. She grows up as a smart, kind, and brave girl. So Nicole has no doubt that Winry will have many other, much more striking features that will make her interesting and attractive.

Winry’s parents want her to grow into a self-confident person.

Now the parents try to instill self-love and self-confidence in Winry. They hope this will help her make independent decisions about her appearance when she gets older and realize what matters more to her: the opinion of other people or her own perception of herself.

Nicole doesn’t think she has to protect her daughter against bullying.

Nicole is sometimes asked if she is afraid that her daughter will be bullied in the future. Nicole agrees that kids who are different from others often become targets for bullying. But she doesn’t believe that her duty is to protect her daughter from bullies.

As a mom, her first priority is to make sure that Winry doesn’t bully anyone herself. And other parents should raise their children to help them understand that all people are different. And physical features don’t define who a person really is.

What can Nicole recommend to other parents of special children?

Nicole says that you need to love your children fiercely and loudly. And be sure to seek the necessary help, if needed.

Also, based on her own experience, she recommends anticipating any difficult situation and talking it over beforehand. Nicole thinks that the most important thing is to make sure your child knows that you are proud of them and love them just the way they are.

Do you support Nicole’s efforts for raising awareness of various health conditions?