Dad Twins With Tattoo Of His Son's Birthmark So He Knows Being Different Is OK

Jun 28, 2023

Being different or special isn't always good or bad and can happen in just about any instance. However, being different from what is considered normal can sometimes cause loneliness. Although the degree of loneliness may vary from person to person, looking or thinking differently from others can lead to loneliness even when in a large crowd. For this reason, many people tend to hide their differences or join the bandwagon to say and do the same things. And due to popular culture, it is easier to go with what is trending or considered normal to fit in at the expense of the individual's uniqueness. 

Birthmarks are not a strange phenomenon, and although they often appear in different spots on the body and with unique shapes, most people don't hide their birthmarks because they like them. However, in rare cases, birthmarks can disfigure a person's body or appear in spots or shapes where they can be considered abnormal. Instances abound of birthmarks covering half of a person's face in black pigments or of birthmarks that lie across a person's entire back. These differences can make the individual self-conscious, so they resort to hiding them like injuries with make-up, clothes, or in extreme cases, masks. 

A father, Derek Prue Sr., moved his son, Derek Prue Jr.,  to tears in December 2020 when he tried to help his son overcome his discomfort with his birthmark by getting a matching tattoo of the birthmark himself. The boy felt different from others and couldn't act freely, hence the father's decision so that his son could feel better. Continue reading to find out how the dad surprised his son and the boy's reaction upon finding out. 

When Derek Prue Sr. decided to do something about his son Derek Prue Jr.'s self-conscious attitude about his birthmark, little did he know he would have to endure 30 hours of pain. Derek Jr. had been born with a birthmark that covered half of his chest from the top of his nipple midway to his stomach, and he never wanted to show it in public. 

Derek Sr. said he noticed that his son never removed his shirt in the pool, so he decided to help the 8-year-old gain confidence. He wanted him to know that being different can be cool. The proud dad contacted a tattoo artist, Tony Gibbert, owner of the Juicy Quill tattoo studio in Alberta, and with a photo of Derek Jr.'s birthmark, the duo set to work in secret. 

Recounting his experience, Derek Sr. said: 

"I remember the first time coming in, laying down, and then after maybe three, four hours, I was like, 'Yeah, are we almost done?' And Tony's like, 'Yeah, we're almost done with the outline.'" 

Overall, the process took 30 hours and lasted about six to eight weeks to complete. However, Derek Sr. is grateful he didn't know how long it would take from the start. 

Derek showed the tattooed print to his son earlier in December 2020 while the boy was in a hotel swimming pool with his sisters. He called Derek Jr., and when the little boy saw his dad's bare chest, he landed in the pool with a big grin. 

"I was happy and I was a little confused. I didn't know he was going to do that," the boy said. 

Derek Sr.'s sacrifice was a success. He told his mom, Shanel Prue, about swimming bare-chested. "Whenever Daddy's there I can take the shirt off."

What do you think of Derek Sr.'s tattoo? Do you think it was necessary? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends and family members!