Parents always go above and beyond to protect their children, and in this heartwarming story, a couple took special measures to ensure their daughter’s happiness. Meet Vienna Brookshaw, a beautiful two-year-old girl born with a birthmark on her forehead, between her eyebrows. While this congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN) birthmark didn’t pose any health risks, Vienna’s mother, Celine Casey, worried about the emotional impact it might have on her daughter as she grew older.
CMN is a rare condition where a baby is born with harmless pigment cells that can potentially grow over time. Uncertain of how much Vienna’s birthmark would grow, Celine Casey felt determined to spare her daughter from any potential challenges throughout her life. When Vienna was a baby, Casey noticed that people would stare at her, treating her differently from other babies. Witnessing this, Casey became even more committed to finding a solution.
Casey immediately approached doctors, hoping they could remove Vienna’s birthmark to prevent future distress. She was concerned that if the birthmark remained, Vienna might blame her parents down the line. “We enjoy watching her grow on her journey, and we look forward to the day she grows up and can express her own thoughts. We’d love her no matter what, even if we kept the birthmark,” Casey lovingly expressed.
However, the National Health Service (NHS) rejected the surgery request, deeming it unnecessary for Vienna’s physical health. For Casey and her husband, this made their mission even more challenging. To cover the expenses of the surgery, Casey initiated a fundraising campaign, rallying the support of kind-hearted individuals. Within just 24 hours, their efforts paid off, with generous donors contributing $52,000. Yet, they still required an additional $27,000 due to increased hospital costs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Desperate to provide the best possible solution for Vienna, Casey turned to the online platform GoFundMe once again, seeking assistance to cover the remaining expenses. Explaining her concerns, Casey shared, “Everyone has things they feel unsure about in their body. The doctor said it wouldn’t affect Vienna’s mental health right now. But we didn’t see it that way. She’s starting school at three, and little kids are clever; they notice things like that.”
Finally, at the age of two, Vienna underwent surgery to remove her birthmark. Today, only a small scar remains on her forehead. Devoted mom Casey consistently updates others on Vienna’s healing process, often marveling at the ‘gorgeous’ baby girl she has. With the birthmark gone, the parents even took Vienna to London to consult with the surgeon and ensure she didn’t require any further treatments or surgeries. Fortunately, Vienna is now a healthy two-year-old who doesn’t need any additional medical care.
Let’s send our warmest wishes to little Vienna as she continues to thrive. We hope her journey is filled with good health and happiness. Don’t hesitate to share Vienna’s inspiring story with others, so they too can be moved by her uplifting tale!
