Ciera Swaringen, 19, was born with hundreds of mole-like birthmarks.
The teen from North Carolina was bullied in school and nicknamed 'spotty dog' but now she has stuck it to her bullies by posing proudly in a bikini.
Ciera suffers from Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus, which covers 70 percent of her body with marks.
‘One day I remember being on the school bus and hearing a young boy laugh at me and call me a spotty dog,’ she said.
‘But I’m so proud to be different and, at the end of the day, we all have something about us that’s unusual, whether it’s on the inside or the outside.’
The shoe shop assistant, who recently graduated from high school, credits her positive outlook to the continuous support she has received from her family.
She added: ‘I remember when I started school my mom told me that my birthmarks were angel kisses – and that really stuck with me.
‘And my dad is the first person to stand up to defend me if anyone says anything horrible to me.’
When she was born her parents were informed her birthmarks posed no health risk.
She has been told by doctors that operating is not possible, as there are too many birthmarks – and the number will increase throughout her life.
With the high volume of birthmarks, she also has to take more care in the sun, as she has higher chance of developing skin cancer.
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