For mom of two Cheryl Shaw, a lifelong skin pigmentation condition has gone from being the source of bullying to one of the reasons she landed a modeling contract in the United Kingdom.
“I used to call them beauty spots when I was younger but now I try and educate people by telling them that I have congenital melanocytic nevus," she added.
The harsh names clearly had an impact on Shaw, though not in the way her bullies intended. Instead of cowering or trying to hide her unique spots, Shaw eventually decided to set up an Instagram account to showcase what made her unique.
It paid off, too. The modeling charity Models of Diversity noticed Shaw’s photos and offered her the chance to work a photo shoot to show the world just how beautiful she can be—and educate people about her congenital condition in the process.
“Models of Diversity campaigns for the fashion and media industry to challenge conventional perceptions of beauty and show a greater representation of all areas of society,” the organization’s founder Angel Sinclair shared. “That’s why we are so proud to support Cheryl, who has the skin condition Congenital Melanocytic Nevus in celebrating her diversity on her journey in to modelling.”
Shaw didn’t always have the radiant self-confidence that she has now, though she hopes that her positive self-image will help other young women with her skin condition to feel more at home in their bodies.
“I also enjoy showing my son’s, Javante, 11, and Vito, three, that it’s fine to have imperfections,” she said.
