Clearwater, Florida toddler James McCallum earned the nickname “little Ninja Turtle” from his parents because of a rare skin condition that made his back resemble a turtle shell. Although prenatal ultrasounds showed nothing unusual, concern grew after birth when scabbing and lumps appeared and continued to spread.

The condition, a large nevus, quickly covered “75% of his back,” growing fast enough to disrupt James’ sleep and daily comfort. His parents watched helplessly as the mysterious growth became more noticeable and uncomfortable for their newborn.

To understand the risks, doctors ordered an MRI to check for internal growth. This led to surgery when James was just 2½ months old to remove the affected skin. Thankfully, the scans showed no internal involvement, easing one of the family’s biggest fears.

After surgery, Kaitlyn and Tim found support through a Facebook group of families facing similar diagnoses. There, they learned about long-term challenges, including itchiness and discomfort that can follow treatment.

In September 2022, the family connected with a specialist and began tissue expansion, a process involving weekly saline injections to gradually replace the affected skin. Though difficult, the treatment has helped James feel better. Now happier and more comfortable, his parents hope the condition will be fully removed by summer, focusing on his quality of life over scarring.