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Laura Kelly, a 28-year-old woman born with congenital melanocytic naevus (CMN), a rare genetic skin condition, has shared her journey toward embracing her unique appearance. CMN is characterized by extensive birthmarks that cover a significant portion of her body—Laura says they cover approximately 98%. As a baby, she underwent 14 surgeries, with doctors initially worried she might not survive past the age of eight. Over time, Laura struggled with self-consciousness about how others perceived her, especially during her teenage years, when she frequently used heavy makeup and carefully chosen clothing to hide her skin.
CMN is a type of birthmark or mole typically present from birth, caused by an increased number of pigment-producing cells in the skin. This condition arises due to a genetic mutation in a single cell during pregnancy and is not inherited from parents, meaning it can affect anyone. While small CMN are relatively common, appearing in about one in every 100 newborns, larger and more widespread forms like Laura’s are much rarer, occurring in approximately one in 10,000 to 20,000 births. In the UK alone, an estimated 7,000 babies are born annually with some form of CMN, with the number and pattern of birthmarks developing differently for each individual.
Growing up in the close-knit community of Draperstown, County Londonderry, Laura recalls being fortunate to receive support from her family, friends, teachers, and peers. She explained, “Everybody knew me as the wee girl with the marks,” but nobody ever told her she looked different during her early school years. Nevertheless, when Laura reached her teenage years, her relationship with her appearance shifted dramatically. She became increasingly aware of her difference and began concealing her birthmarks extensively with makeup and clothing. Laura described how she “wouldn’t have left the house without makeup” and carefully planned her outfits to cover as much of her skin as possible, feeling compelled to explain her condition to anyone she met.
Despite moments of visible confidence, Laura admits she sometimes feels vulnerable and must push herself to face public situations without hiding her skin. Her involvement with the charity Caring Matters Now, where she met others with CMN for the first time, has been transformative. It gave her a new sense of belonging and encouraged her to embrace her appearance slowly. A significant milestone for Laura was wearing shorts in public during a recent warm period—something she had never done before. She says, “Being different is unique, and being unique is better than being perfect,” and hopes that by sharing her story, she can inspire others with visible differences to find confidence in their own skin. Laura acknowledges that gaining self-assurance is a gradual process but remains proud of how far she has come
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