My ‘Ninja Turtle baby’ boy was born with a shell — he’s my superhero…
The Moment the World Tilted: Birth and the Unseen Surprise
The birth of a child is supposed to be pure, unadulterated joy. For Kaitlyn and Tim McCallum, that moment arrived on August 19, 2021, when their son, James, came into the world, weighing a healthy 6 pounds, 14 ounces. It was everything they had hoped for—a perfect, tiny miracle.
But then, the world tilted.
In the midst of the post-birth rush, the parents, particularly Kaitlyn, noticed something unsettling. Lying across the majority of James’s back was a large, dark mass. It wasn’t the soft, smooth skin they expected. It was scabbing, lumpy, and grew quickly—a mysterious, overwhelming birthmark that covered almost 75% of his back.
This was the start of a grueling, anxious journey. The ultrasounds had shown nothing. Now, faced with this startling reality, both the parents and the doctors were baffled. What was it? Was it dangerous? How do you plan for a future when your newborn son carries such a massive, unknown burden?
The Agonizing Wait: Searching for a Name for the Fear
For the next two months, the McCallum family lived in a terrifying vacuum of uncertainty. The mass wasn’t static; it was growing rapidly, turning into what looked like a giant mole covering most of James’s back. This wasn’t just a cosmetic concern; the sheer size of the growth was impacting his comfort, his sleep, and his ability to move freely.
Tim, a medical staffing recruiter, and Kaitlyn, a concerned new mom, waited. They endured countless consultations, tests, and the horrifying thought that this mysterious growth could be something sinister.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, little James received a diagnosis: Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus (GCMN).
The relief was mixed with anxiety. GCMN is a rare congenital condition—a benign, tumor-like malformation resulting from a faulty development of pigment cells. Doctors were able to reassure them that the immediate diagnosis was benign, but the journey to manage and remove the growth was just beginning.
The Superhero Nickname: Embracing Uniqueness
Despite the medical jargon and the daunting road ahead, the parents, in a moment of true emotional genius, found a way to reclaim their son’s uniqueness with love and humor.
They looked at the massive growth that covered his back—dark, textured, and distinct—and saw something different: a shell.
James McCallum earned the nickname that has stuck ever since: Their “little Ninja Turtle.”
As James’s father, James McCallum (who shares the same name as his son), expressed his deep feelings of pride and amazement: “When I first saw him, it was like meeting a superhero. His shell makes him unique, but it’s his spirit that truly makes him special.”
The nickname wasn’t a joke; it was a shield. It was their way of saying, This is not a burden; this is his superpower.
The Hard Fight: MRI and the Road to Removal
The first step in James’s treatment was crucial and terrifying. Given the massive size of the nevus, James had to undergo an MRI to assess the risks of internal growth. Nevi, particularly large ones, can sometimes signal related growths inside the body.
The relief when the results came back clear—no internal growth found—was immense.
At just 2½ months old, James underwent his first surgery to remove a portion of the nevus. But the treatment journey was far from over. Kaitlyn and Tim soon discovered that the area could be intensely itchy, a common side effect for children with GCMN.
They found solace and information in a supportive Facebook group dedicated to parents of children with this condition. Connecting with others who truly understood the daily challenges was a lifeline.
The Dedication: Weekly Injections and the Future
The most extensive part of James’s treatment began in September 2022: tissue expansion.
To remove such a large nevus without simply pulling the skin tightly and causing severe disfigurement, doctors strategically implant tissue expanders beneath the skin surrounding the nevus. Kaitlyn and Tim then commit to a meticulous, weekly ritual: injecting saline into the expanders. This slow, gradual inflation stretches the healthy surrounding skin, allowing doctors to cut away the affected nevus and use the newly stretched, healthy skin to cover the wound.
It is a grueling, challenging process for a toddler and his parents. But James, despite the discomfort and the weekly injections, has shown remarkable resilience. His parents report that he is now happier, more comfortable, and adapting incredibly well.
They anticipate that the complete removal of the nevus will be achieved by the summer. For Kaitlyn and Tim, the priority is absolute: his comfort and health come before any concerns about potential scarring. They are determined to provide their son with all the love, support, and meticulous care he needs.
A Symbol of Resilience and Love
The McCallum family’s journey is far more than a medical report; it is an enduring lesson in embracing difference. They could have allowed the fear and the anomaly to define their son. Instead, they chose to see the strength, the uniqueness, and the power that his condition embodies.
They have already received overwhelming support from their community, with messages pouring in from friends and well-wishers inspired by their positive outlook.
As they embark on the final stages of this journey, James McCallum and his family hope to raise awareness about GCMN. But more importantly, they hope to inspire others to meet differences—whether in their own lives or in others—with compassion, understanding, and love.
For the McCallum family, their ‘Ninja Turtle Baby’ is not just a child with a unique physical trait; he is a beacon of resilience, a tiny superhero, and the truest symbol of a parent’s unwavering, unconditional love