Girl Who Was Told Her Birthmark Is “Ugly” Kept It Anyway For A Powerful Reason

This activist loves her unique look and refuses to change just to satisfy others' preferences.

When Mariana Mendes of Brazil was born 24 years ago, both the doctor and her parents were surprised to discover a large birthmark covering part of her face. The unique mark, called a congenital melanocytic nevus, affects approximately one in 20,000 babies and results in an increased amount of pigment beneath the skin. In effect, it causes birthmarks to appear very dark.

Mendes’ nevus covers part of her nose, her right eye, and her cheek. When she was five-years-old, her mother signed her up to receive a series of laser surgery treatments to prevent her from being bullied. They didn’t end up working, and for this Mendes is actually grateful. This is because she’s learned to love her unique mark and views it like some people view tattoos and makeup.

“I feel more beautiful and totally different from other people because I have a nevus,” said the stylist assistant. “There are many people who stare and who don’t like it, but I don’t care. I have been told by a few people that it’s “ugly” or “strange”, but it doesn’t bother me. That’s just their opinion and I think it’s beautiful. A lot of people ask me about my birthmark, sometimes they think it’s makeup or a tattoo but I don’t mind and explain it to them. I’m proud of having a nevus, it’s a part of who I am and how I learn to like myself.”

Because Mariana refuses to conform or change her physical appearance, she has unknowingly influenced and inspired many.

When Mariana Mende was born, her parents and the doctor were surprised to see a large birthmark covering her face.

The mark is called congenital melanocytic nevus, and it affects approximately 1 in 20,000 babies.

Mariana’s mother was scared she would be bullied, so had her daughter undergo a series of laser treatments.

They’d didn’t work, and the 24-year-old is now grateful for this.

“I feel more beautiful and totally different from other people because I have a nevus,” she said

“I have been told by a few people that it’s “ugly” or “strange”, but it doesn’t bother me”

“I don’t get upset if a person doesn’t like my nevus, to me it’s like any other part of my body”

“I’m proud of having a nevus, it’s a part of who I am and how I learned to like myself”

“I will never be ashamed of my nevus and feel good having it”

Via Bored Panda

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