Gina Heslop
James McCallum, a toddler from Clearwater, Florida, has a unique condition that earned him the nickname “little Ninja Turtle” from his parents, Kaitlyn and Tim.
This nickname came about because James was born with a rare skin condition that looked like a turtle shell on his back. The couple had no idea their baby had this condition while Kaitlyn was pregnant. Even though they had multiple ultrasounds, none of them showed any sign of what was to come.
Right after James was born, his parents noticed that his back had some strange lumps and scabs. As time passed, the condition began to spread. Eventually, it covered around 75% of his back. The “shell” wasn’t just unusual to look at—it started to affect James’ everyday life. It was uncomfortable for him, and it made it hard for him to sleep. His parents were worried, and doctors weren’t entirely sure what was going on.
To figure out what was happening, James had an MRI scan. The scan was done to make sure that the growth on his back wasn’t spreading inside his body, which could be dangerous. Thankfully, the results showed that the condition was only on his skin and hadn’t grown internally. When James was two and a half months old, he underwent surgery to remove the nevus—the name for the growth on his back. The surgery went well, and after it, his parents were relieved to learn there were no internal problems.
While they were searching for answers and support, Kaitlyn and Tim discovered a Facebook group for families dealing with similar conditions. Through this group, they learned more about possible side effects, like how James might experience itchiness or discomfort as he healed.
The McCallums found a specialist who started a treatment called tissue expansion. This involved injecting saline into James’ back to stretch the skin and slowly replace the affected area.
The process was difficult and required weekly injections, but it has helped James feel more comfortable. His parents are optimistic that by summer, the “shell” on James’ back will be completely removed. For them, making sure James is happy and comfortable is the most important thing, even if some scars remain.
