Parents will go to great lengths to ensure the well-being and happiness of their children. This heartwarming story revolves around Celine Casey, a caring mom from the United Kingdom, and her daughter, Vienna Brookshaw, who was born in April 2021. When Vienna entered the world, her mom noticed a birthmark on her forehead, nestled between her eyebrows.
This birthmark, scientifically known as congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), posed no health risks for Vienna. However, her mom couldn’t help but worry about its potential impact on her daughter’s emotional well-being as she grew older. CMN is a rare condition where babies are born with a harmless group of pigment cells that may grow with time.
Casey immediately sought medical advice, concerned that the birthmark might become a source of future distress for Vienna. She wanted to ensure her daughter wouldn’t face unnecessary challenges because of it. Casey lovingly expressed, “We cherish every moment of Vienna’s journey and eagerly await the day she can express her own thoughts. Our love for her knows no bounds, even if we decided to keep the birthmark.”
The reason behind Casey’s desire to remove Vienna’s birthmark stemmed from her observations during Vienna’s infancy. People would often stare at her daughter, treating her differently from other babies. Witnessing this prompted Casey’s determination to pursue the removal of the birthmark.
However, the National Health Service (NHS) denied the surgery, citing it as a cosmetic procedure rather than a medical necessity. Undeterred, Casey initiated a fundraising campaign to gather the necessary funds for the surgery from alternative sources. Astonishingly, within a mere 24 hours, generous individuals donated $52,000. Unfortunately, the increased hospital costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant an additional $27,000 was still required for the surgery.
Turning to GoFundMe once more, Casey appealed for further assistance to cover the remaining costs associated with her daughter’s essential surgery. Casey explained her concerns, saying, “Everyone has insecurities about their bodies. The doctor mentioned that it wouldn’t affect Vienna’s mental health at present. However, we saw it differently. Vienna will be starting school at three, and young children are perceptive; they notice things like that.”
Fortunately, thanks to the overwhelming support received, Vienna, now two years old, has had her birthmark completely removed. Only a small scar remains on her forehead as a testament to this transformation. Casey diligently provides updates about her daughter’s healing process, often describing her as “gorgeous.”
Following the surgery, the parents traveled to London to have the surgeon assess the healing of Vienna’s small scar. They wanted to ensure that no further surgeries or treatments would be necessary after the three that Vienna had already undergone. Presently, Vienna is a healthy two-year-old, free from any medical concerns.
Let us extend our heartfelt wishes to little Vienna. May she always enjoy good health and happiness! Feel free to share this touching story with others, allowing them to also be touched by Vienna’s remarkable journey!
