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.
An 82-year-old woman was caught shoplifting in a supermarket store
An 82-year-old woman was caught shoplifting in a supermarket. “Please don’t call the police, I don’t want my grandchildren to know”. What happened to her afterward is unbelievable…
The number of people who struggle to make ends meet is way higher that we can even imagine. Not being able to provide for the family is an issue many struggle with, especially these days when the entire world is facing crisis in terms of lack of electricity and inflation. The prices of the basic products get higher and the number of businesses that are forced to shut down grows bigger. Finding a job isn’t as easy it once was. Life is hard for many, especially those who are unable to work because of various reasons.
One 82-year-old grandma was left to take care of her grandchildren. Sadly, because of her age, there was nothing she could do in order to get food. The little money she had wasn’t enough, so she was forced to do something she wasn’t proud of, steal food from a local shop at Via Casilina in Ferentino, Frosinone, Italy.
When an employee spotted her putting canned food in her bag, they confronted her. The grandma was scared and begged them not to call the police. “Please don’t call the cops; I don’t want my grandkids to know,” she kept repeating.
She then explained that she struggled to provide food for her grandchildren as tears rolled down her face.
The store manager was deeply touched by her story. Not only he didn’t call the police, but he let her take anything that she needed. He even told her to stop by whenever she needed food.
“Come grab what you need anytime you want; a few euros don’t matter anything to me,” he said.
We are glad there are still people there as considerate and as caring as this market owner.
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