Parents always strive to protect their children, and for one couple in the UK, that meant taking extra steps for their daughter.
In April 2021, Celine Casey gave birth to little Vienna Brookshaw, and immediately noticed a mark on her forehead, between her eyebrows.
The mark, called congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), posed no health risks to Vienna, but Casey worried it might affect her emotionally as she grew older.
CMN is a condition where a baby is born with clusters of harmless pigment cells, and these marks can sometimes grow as the child develops.
With Vienna’s condition being rare and unpredictable, Casey was concerned about the potential challenges her daughter might face. Unsure how large the birthmark would become, she feared it could affect Vienna’s confidence in the future.
Wanting to spare her daughter any potential distress, Casey asked doctors about the possibility of removing the birthmark early on, worried Vienna might later resent them for not taking action.
“We love watching her grow and can’t wait for the day she can share her own thoughts,” Casey said. “We’d love her no matter what, even if she kept the birthmark.”
Despite the family’s efforts, the NHS (National Health Service) refused to perform the surgery, deeming it cosmetic and not medically necessary since the birthmark didn’t impact Vienna’s physical health.
Determined to give her daughter the best chance at a carefree childhood, Casey turned to crowdfunding. In just 24 hours, generous supporters donated $52,000. Unfortunately, due to rising hospital costs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, they still needed an additional $27,000 to cover the surgery.
The family launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise the remaining funds, explaining that while the birthmark wasn’t causing any issues at the moment, they feared it could affect Vienna emotionally as she began school. “Children notice things like that,” Casey explained, expressing her concern for when Vienna started interacting with other kids.
Today, Vienna is two years old, and the birthmark has been successfully removed, leaving only a small scar on her forehead. Her mother frequently shares updates on her daughter’s recovery, proudly declaring how beautiful Vienna is.
Recently, the family traveled to London for a follow-up appointment, where doctors confirmed that Vienna’s healing was progressing well and that she would not need further surgeries or treatments after the three she had already undergone. For now, Vienna is a healthy, happy two-year-old, free from additional medical concerns.
We wish Vienna all the best and continued health as she grows! Feel free to share her story to raise awareness and inspire others.
