A happy mom recently told the story of how her little girl said goodbye to a birthmark on her forehead, even though they initially faced some criticism from doctors.
A very uncommon birthmark.
© viennarosebrookshaw / Instagram, © viennarosebrookshaw / Instagram, © viennarosebrookshaw / Instagram
Here’s the story of Celine Casey and her two-year-old daughter, Vienna Shaw. Vienna was born with a rare birthmark called congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN) on her forehead, which only occurs in one out of every 20,000 newborns.
When Celine learned about the birthmark, she felt worried and wondered if she had done something wrong during her pregnancy. She didn’t know what the birthmark would mean for Vienna but was determined to remove it so that her daughter could grow up without feeling different.
© viennarosebrookshaw / Instagram
Even though the birthmark didn’t affect Brookshaw’s physical health, Casey knew it could impact her daughter’s mental well-being as she grew older and interacted with other children who might be curious about her condition.
Celine shared that the family sometimes used to hide Vienna’s birthmark by covering her face when they went out. She said, “We went out daily with her and got a few stares.”
The surgery was challenging.
© viennarosebrookshaw / Instagram
When they sought help from the NHS, the family received disheartening feedback. Doctors couldn’t go ahead with the surgery to remove the birthmark, categorizing it as a cosmetic procedure.
However, the parents viewed it differently. They were genuinely worried about potential teasing from other kids, which could affect their daughter’s mental well-being at a young age. Casey was also concerned that if they didn’t remove the birthmark, her daughter might grow to resent her and her partner.
© viennarosebrookshaw / Instagram, © viennarosebrookshaw / Instagram, © viennarosebrookshaw / Instagram
The parents took matters into their own hands and privately raised the required funds. Through crowdfunding, they managed to gather $52,000 within 24 hours. However, due to increased hospital costs in 2020, they had to raise an additional $27,000. With a new funding request, they eventually reached their goal.
They encountered difficulties with doctors.
© viennarosebrookshaw / Instagram
Disagreements between the medical team and the parents have led to differing opinions. Vienna’s parents wanted the birthmark removed through surgery, but the surgeon refused to perform the procedure. The surgeon’s stance is rooted in the belief that the child should make the decision once she reaches an appropriate age.
After this controversy arose, Daniel Brookshaw, Vienna’s father, expressed his dissatisfaction with the doctor’s viewpoint. The doctor also consulted with a dermatologist who concurred with the surgeon, emphasizing that the birthmark doesn’t threaten Vienna’s health and is not cancerous.
The surgery was completed successfully.
© viennarosebrookshaw / Instagram
Vienna is now two years old, and her doctors have successfully removed her birthmark, leaving only a faint scar between her eyebrows. Casey regularly shares updates on Shaw’s scar and recovery process on her social media, and followers often comment on how beautiful her little girl looks.
Despite the birthmark being gone, Casey mentioned that they still have to travel between cities to check the healing of the scar and see if any additional procedures are needed beyond the three she has already undergone. Shaw is now enjoying the typical life of a two-year-old.
© viennarosebrookshaw / Instagram
This little girl’s case with her birthmark brings attention to the delicate balance between parental advocacy and a child’s autonomy in medical decisions. While her parents aimed to secure her social acceptance and well-being, medical professionals stressed the importance of respecting Vienna’s future autonomy over her own body.
This story serves as a reminder of the intricate ethical considerations that arise when navigating the boundaries of parental authority and individual autonomy, prompting broader reflections on the rights of minors in the medical realm.
Woman hears doorbell ring at 4 am — sees it’s her neighbor dog paying her a visit
Even if they don’t always choose the best times to visit, it’s always pleasant when a dog does so.
One woman recently received a surprise when her doorbell rang at four in the morning and she saw a very special visitor.
An American bully named Bruce rang her doorbell late one night, and the doorbell camera caught it all in a now-viral video posted on TikTok by user @omg_its_char. The homeowner’s neighbor’s dog is named Bruce.
The pet seems to be eager to be let inside and has demonstrated outstanding usage of the doorbell by even bopping his head at the chime. Bruce barks a second later, seemingly to announce, “Hey, I’m out here!”
Check out the video below:
The homeowner welcomed Bruce in for a visit, and although not everyone enjoys hearing the doorbell ring at this early hour, the dog settled in.
She posted an update saying, “This wasn’t the first time he stopped by to say hello. I got out of bed and let him inside.” “He used one of my cat’s toys to help himself while he had the zoomies for almost ten minutes before deciding to settle down on my couch.”
Bruce was allowed to spend the night with her after she called the dog’s owners and they didn’t respond. The following morning, the dog was picked up by the neighbors.
With over 24.6 million views in just two days, the video has gone viral. Many others said that if Bruce rang their bell, they would allow him in as well.
One response says, “That would be the only welcomed guest in my house.”
Another remark reads, “Oh my gosh, if you don’t let him in right now, I’m coming over immediately and keeping him.”
Another person wrote, “He wanted to have a sleep over.”
What a funny video and what a smart dog! Would you please let this cute puppy come visit you inside? If so, please tell your friends about this story.
Leave a Reply