Her 13-month-old daughter, Winry, was born with a rare congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN), a distinctive birthmark that sets her apart from other children. Initially, Nicole and her husband were taken aback by the birthmark’s appearance, with Nicole admitting, “When they first handed her to me, I thought it was a bruise, but it was quickly apparent that it was not. It resembled a mole.”

According to a report from the National Organization for Rare Diseases by Dr. Harper Price of Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Dr. Heather Etchevers of Marseille Medical Genetics, CMN can manifest as light brown to black patches and can cover various sizes and areas of the body.

Instead of succumbing to sadness about her daughter’s condition, Nicole turned to the power of social media to raise awareness about CMN and send an essential message: “Being different is your superpower.” She aims to enlighten those who have not previously come across such a birthmark and to offer support and representation to children and parents facing comparable challenges.

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