Being a parent comes with its fair share of worries and concerns. When little Vienna Brookshaw was born in April 2021, her mom, Celine Casey, noticed a birthmark on her forehead. The birthmark, known as congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), wasn’t a threat to Vienna’s health, but Casey was concerned 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 a group of harmless pigment cells that could potentially 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.
Right from the start, Casey approached the doctors and asked if there was anything that could be done about the birthmark. She worried that if they didn’t take action, Vienna might resent her parents down the line. 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.”
Casey’s motivation to remove Vienna’s birthmark stemmed from the treatment her baby received from others 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. Within a mere 24 hours, generous individuals donated $52,000 towards Vienna’s cause. 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 collective generosity of kind-hearted individuals, Vienna’s surgery was made 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, proudly remarking 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. Ensuring that she wouldn’t need any more surgeries or treatments, they sought 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 story with others so they too can be touched by her journey!
