Parents will go to great lengths to protect and support their children, and Celine Casey, a devoted British mother, is no exception. When her daughter, Vienna Brookshaw, was born in April 2021, she had a birthmark situated between her eyebrows. This birthmark, known as congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), wasn’t harmful to Vienna’s health, but Casey worried about how it might affect her daughter’s emotional well-being as she grew up.
Understanding Congenital Melanocytic Nevus (CMN)
Congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN) is a rare condition in which a baby is born with a cluster of pigment cells that form a birthmark. Although these cells are not harmful, they can grow as the child ages. Casey, concerned that Vienna might face challenges related to her appearance, quickly consulted doctors to explore options for removing the birthmark. Her fear was that Vienna might one day harbor resentment toward her parents for not addressing it earlier.
“We embrace every moment of Vienna’s growth and can’t wait for the day when she can voice her own opinions,” said Casey, displaying immense love and compassion for her daughter. “We would love her forever, no matter what.”
The Desire for Acceptance
Casey’s motivation to remove Vienna’s birthmark stemmed from the way people would stare at her daughter. She noticed that Vienna was treated differently from other babies, and this only fueled her determination to pursue the removal procedure.
Facing Obstacles
Initially, the National Health Service (NHS) denied Casey’s request for the surgery, as they considered it cosmetic rather than medically necessary. Undeterred, Casey turned to crowdfunding to raise the money needed for the procedure. Incredibly, the campaign managed to raise $52,000 in just one day. However, due to increased hospital costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, they still needed an additional $27,000 to cover the full cost.
To bridge the gap, Casey relaunched her crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe, hoping to secure the remaining funds. “Everyone has insecurities about their appearance,” Casey said. “The doctors assured us it wouldn’t affect Vienna’s mental health now, but young children are sensitive, and they start noticing these things, especially when they begin school.”
A Successful Path to Healing
Vienna’s birthmark has since been successfully removed, and today, she is a healthy two-year-old with only a small scar on her forehead. Casey often praises her daughter’s beauty and regularly shares updates on Vienna’s recovery journey.
Concerned for her daughter’s future, Casey even traveled to London to have a surgeon assess Vienna’s scar. After three surgeries and treatments, Casey wanted to ensure her daughter would need no further medical intervention. Fortunately, Vienna is now doing well and requires no additional treatments.
A Bright Future for Vienna
We send our best wishes to little Vienna, hoping she enjoys a lifetime of health and happiness. Her journey is a testament to the lengths parents will go for their children, and her story serves as an inspiration to many.
