Ciera Swaringen knows all to well she looks different. The 19-year-old was born with giant congenital melanocytic nevus, a rare skin condition that causes hundreds of birthmarks all over the body. Ciera has 70% of her body covered in moles. The North Carolina resident said she endured years of bullying from kids. “One day I remember being on the school bus and hearing a young boy laugh at me and call me a ‘spotty dog,” says Ciera. It was her mom’s words though that helped the teen accept herself. Julie Swaringen refers to her daughter’s birthmarks as “angel kisses.”
