Parents would go to any lengths to ensure the safety and well-being of their children — even if it means facing the unknown. These parents are no exception. Read on to discover the extraordinary lengths they went to for their daughter.
One in 20,000
When baby Vienna Brookshaw arrived in April 2021, her mother, Celine Casey, was filled with overwhelming joy. But that happiness quickly turned to concern when she noticed something unusual.
Born in the U.K., Vienna had a striking dark mark right between her eyebrows. A rush of worry filled Celine’s heart. Was something wrong? Had complications arisen during the pregnancy?
Luckily, doctors quickly reassured her that the birthmark was completely harmless. Yet, Celine couldn’t shake the fear of how this mark might impact her daughter’s self-esteem as she grew older.
The rare mark was diagnosed as a congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), a condition that affects only about 20,000 babies worldwide. It’s caused by a cluster of pigment cells that form before birth and typically grow as the child ages. While not dangerous, the location of the birthmark meant that Vienna would likely face stares, uncomfortable questions, and possibly hurtful comments — particularly from those who speak without thinking.
That’s when her parents made a pivotal decision that would change their lives.
Vienna’s Journey
With the rarity of the condition, no one could predict how much the birthmark would grow as Vienna got older. Her mother, Celine, knew she couldn’t let her daughter face the emotional and social challenges that might arise from it.
Determined to protect her, Celine immediately sought advice from doctors about options for her daughter’s birthmark. She was deeply concerned that, if left untreated, Vienna might one day harbor resentment toward her for not taking action sooner.
The devoted mother shared, “We love watching her grow on this journey, and we can’t wait for the day she’s old enough to speak for herself and share her own thoughts. We’ll love her no matter what, even if we had kept the birthmark.”
Her determination stemmed from early on when she and her partner noticed people staring at their infant daughter. They realized Vienna was being treated differently, and this only strengthened their resolve to seek treatment for her birthmark.
Denied Surgery
When they turned to the NHS for help, their request was denied. The system typically doesn’t approve surgeries deemed non-essential for physical health, classifying Vienna’s procedure as cosmetic rather than necessary.
Undeterred, the parents launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the cost of private surgery. In just 24 hours, they raised $52,000, but as hospital fees had soared since the COVID-19 pandemic, they still needed an additional $27,000 to cover the full cost.
Turning to GoFundMe once more, they asked for help to meet the financial gap.
Casey explained, “Everybody has insecurities about their bodies, and the doctor said he’d respect that. But with Vienna, it wasn’t about affecting her mental health right now. We knew she’d start school at three, and younger kids are so perceptive — they point out things like that.”
Now, at three years old, Vienna’s birthmark has been completely removed, leaving only a small scar on her forehead. Her mother frequently shares updates on her daughter’s recovery, proudly commenting on how “gorgeous” her little girl is.
Even after the birthmark was successfully removed, the couple traveled to London for a follow-up appointment with the surgeon. They wanted to ensure the scar had healed well and to determine if their daughter, Brookshaw, would need any additional procedures after the three surgeries she had already undergone. Thankfully, at this moment, Vienna is a healthy three-year-old with no further medical needs.
We send all our best wishes to little Brookshaw, hoping she remains in perfect health as she continues to grow! Feel free to share her inspiring story with others so they can learn about her journey, too!
