Each of us is born uniquely special and undeniably beautiful in our own way.

One of the most remarkable things about being human is our individuality—no two people are exactly alike. Thankfully, as time passes, we’re growing more open as a society, learning to celebrate and embrace our differences.

Nicole Lucas Hallson is a devoted mother raising two wonderful children, her son Asher and her daughter Winry. Beyond that, Nicole is on a heartfelt mission: to show the world that our imperfections make us perfect. She is determined to highlight her baby daughter’s unique beauty, which is defined by a rare birthmark.

According to Good Morning America, little Winry Hall was born with congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN), a rare condition that left her with a birthmark covering nearly a quarter of her face. At just 13 months old, Winry already stands out, not looking like most children her age.

Nicole, who works as a teacher, was initially shocked when nurses handed Winry to her after her delivery in February 2021. Her pregnancy had been fairly typical, so her daughter’s skin condition came as a surprise.

“I was fortunate to have a pretty normal pregnancy,” Nicole shared on her blog. “I had morning sickness from weeks 8-14, but after that, I felt great until the last month, when the tiredness hit.”

Nicole recalls that it was likely the medical team who first noticed Winry’s birthmark, but they didn’t comment on it. Instead, they celebrated the smooth and quick delivery and assured her that all of Winry’s vitals were healthy.

Initially, Nicole thought the mark on her daughter’s head was a bruise.

“It quickly became clear to my husband and me that it wasn’t a bruise,” Nicole said. “It looked a lot like a mole, and I didn’t know what to think.”

On her blog, Nicole described her initial feelings:

“After the excitement of labor wore off, worry set in. I recognized it looked like a mole, but I’d never seen anything like it before. I was concerned it could be harmful, but I didn’t know what to ask, so I just held her close and loved her.”

The National Organization for Rare Diseases explains that CMN can appear as light brown or black patches on any part of the body and in varying sizes.

Nicole and her husband are now on a mission to highlight Winry’s uniqueness, hoping to inspire others to see differences as something to be proud of rather than ashamed of.

“For many people, this is the first time seeing a birthmark like hers, which is why I enjoy sharing,” Nicole said. “It’s a great opportunity for parents to teach their children about differences and for other families with kids like Winry to see themselves represented.”

While Winry’s birthmark increases her risk of melanoma, her parents are taking every precaution to keep her healthy. Nicole explained, “We’re careful with sunscreen, hats, and anything else to protect her skin. Regular dermatology appointments will be a big part of her life growing up.”

Nicole’s biggest concern, however, is that her daughter might face bullying as she grows older.

“Her health and happiness are our top priorities,” Nicole shared with Good Morning America.

Despite it all, Winry is a vibrant and joyful little girl.

“She radiates joy,” Nicole said. “She’s almost always laughing or shrieking with happiness. She’s the happiest baby I’ve ever seen. She’s already starting to show a bit of sass, so we know we’ll have our hands full!”

At Newsner, we believe differences should be celebrated, not mocked. Winry is truly a special little girl, with beauty and a light that shines from within.

If you agree that all children are beautiful and that differences make us unique, please share this story on Facebook to spread love and confidence Winry’s way!