Becoming a parent comes with its own set of worries and concerns. For Celine Casey, when her daughter Vienna was born in April 2021, she noticed a birthmark on her forehead. Although the birthmark, called congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), wasn’t a threat to Vienna’s health, Casey couldn’t help but worry about its impact on her daughter’s emotional well-being as she grew up.
CMN is a rare condition where a baby is born with harmless pigment cells that may grow as the child gets older. Casey didn’t want Vienna to face any challenges or emotional distress because of the birthmark in the future. She wanted to take action and find a solution.
Right from the start, Casey approached the doctors and asked if anything could be done about the birthmark. She feared that if they didn’t take action, Vienna might resent her parents in the future. Casey lovingly expressed, “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.”
What fueled Casey’s motivation to remove Vienna’s birthmark was the treatment her baby received from other people when she was a newborn. People would stare at Vienna, and Casey noticed that she was often treated differently than other babies. This fueled her determination to find a solution.
However, when Casey approached the NHS (National Health Service), they declined the surgery as it was considered cosmetic and not essential for Vienna’s physical health. Undeterred, Casey launched a fundraising campaign to raise money for the surgery from alternative sources. Generous individuals rallied to Vienna’s cause, donating $52,000 within a mere 24 hours. Unfortunately, the pandemic had caused hospital costs to soar, and they still needed an additional $27,000 for the procedure.
Casey appealed for help once again on GoFundMe, rallying support to cover the extra expenses for her daughter’s surgery. Concerned for Vienna’s well-being, she explained, “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.”
Through the incredible generosity of kind-hearted individuals, Vienna’s surgery became possible. Now, at two years old, her birthmark has been completely removed, leaving only a small scar on her forehead. Casey keeps everyone updated on her daughter’s healing process and proudly remarks on how ‘gorgeous’ her baby girl is.
In their quest for Vienna’s well-being, her parents even traveled to London to have the surgeon assess how well the scar on her forehead had healed. They wanted to ensure that she wouldn’t need any more surgeries or treatments, seeking peace of mind. Currently, Vienna is a healthy and vibrant two-year-old who requires no further medical attention.
We send our heartfelt wishes to little Vienna, hoping that she stays healthy and happy as she grows. Feel free to share her inspiring journey with others so that they too can be touched by her story!
