Men & CMN: The Way We Carry It- Nevus Dad, Chris Skinner's Story

There are moments in life that divide everything into a before and after.

For Chris Skinner, that moment came the day his daughter Sophia was born.

Like many parents entering the world of Congenital Melanocytic Nevi (CMN), Chris had never heard the term before that day. What should have been a joyful and uncomplicated moment quickly became filled with confusion and fear as doctors and nurses gathered around Sophia, trying to understand what they were seeing.

“I was terrified,” Chris shared. “I didn’t know what to expect.”

At first, there were very few answers. Chris remembers staring at Sophia’s nevi and trying to process what it all meant. Questions flooded his mind. Was it serious? Would she be okay? What would her future look like?

CMN is a rare condition present at birth that causes large or multiple pigmented birthmarks called nevi. In some cases, CMN can also involve neurological complications and lifelong medical monitoring. But for families like the Skinners, the diagnosis quickly became about far more than medical terminology.

Finding Normal in the Unexpected

As the months passed, Chris began learning about CMN alongside Sophia’s mother, Hannah. He describes the journey as deeply educational.. not only in understanding the condition itself, but also in learning how to move through the world with it. One of the hardest parts early on was adjusting to the reactions of strangers. The stares, questions and assumptions weighed heavily on him.

But over time, something shifted. The visible parts of CMN slowly became less important than the little girl behind them.

The Role of a Father

Today, Sophia’s nevi are simply called her “spots” in their home. What once felt unfamiliar gradually became normal- just another part of who Sophia is. Chris says becoming her father changed the way he viewed both CMN and himself.

His role, he says, is simple: help Sophia live confidently.

That means teaching her how to navigate the hard days without letting them define her. It means helping her manage heat sensitivity when she wants to play outside. It means preparing her for curious questions from strangers. Most importantly, it means constantly reminding her that she is loved, capable, and beautiful exactly as she is.

Still, some parts of the journey never truly become easy.

Holding the Family Together

For Chris, the hardest moments have been Sophia’s surgeries.

Watching his daughter experience pain is something he says no father can prepare for. Even now, after years of growth and perspective, that remains the part that hurts the most. Through every surgery and recovery, however, Chris has held tightly to one responsibility: being the steady presence his family can lean on.

“Be the rock that the family leans on,” he said when asked what strength looks like to him.

That mindset has shaped the way he approaches fatherhood as a whole.

Chris describes himself as optimistic by nature, and he believes that perspective matters deeply when raising children through difficult circumstances. He wants Sophia to understand that while some days will be harder than others, life is still meant to be lived fully.

“We get up, knock off the dust, and keep moving,” he shared.

Ironically, one of the greatest lessons in the entire journey has come from Sophia herself.

Chris says she does not spend her days worrying about her spots or noticing the stares the way adults often do. She simply exists as herself.. joyful, carefree, and fully present in the world around her.

“She lives her best life, every day,” Chris said. “She’s taught me to do the same.”

The Quiet Strength of Fatherhood

Faith has also become a cornerstone of their family’s journey.

Chris shared that his relationship with Jesus has helped him navigate the uncertainty that often comes with raising a child with a rare disease. Every night before bed, he and Sophia say a prayer together- a quiet tradition that has become one of the most meaningful parts of their routine.

He says faith, family, and optimism are what keep him grounded, especially during difficult seasons.

For Men’s Health Month, Chris hopes more men understand that vulnerability is not weakness. Fathers navigating medical journeys carry enormous emotional weight, and he believes men need spaces where they can speak honestly about fear, stress, and exhaustion without shame.

“Being vulnerable doesn’t make you weak,” he shared. “It’s also freeing when two men can sit down and have a conversation about life… and strengthen each other.”

And for fathers who may be standing where he once stood, overwhelmed, uncertain, and terrified of the unknown- Chris offers the kind of reassurance only experience can give:

"Everything is going to be okay. Take care of your family. Be their peace. Keep loving them well. And even when life feels heavy, remember that with time, things do get easier."

Because at the center of this story is not simply a diagnosis.

It is a father learning, growing, praying, and showing up every single day for the little girl he lovingly calls his “little honeys.”

---

💡 Want to connect with other CMN families, find trusted resources, or support research? Visit Nevus Outreach to learn more, join our community, share your story, or make a gift today.