The Emotional Journey of a Mother Determined to Remove Her Daughter’s Birthmark Parenthood is filled with many joys, but it also raises serious concerns, particularly when it comes to a child’s future health. For Celine Casey, the birth of her daughter Vienna Brookshaw in April 2021 was a moment of pure joy, but she soon noticed a noticeable birthmark on her baby’s forehead. Congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN) is a rare condition in which a baby is born with a cluster of harmless pigment cells. The mark is usually benign, but it can grow over time.
As Vienna’s mother, Casey wanted to make sure her daughter wouldn’t go through emotional turmoil or feel self-conscious about her appearance in the future. She asked doctors if there was anything they could do because she was afraid that if they didn’t treat the birthmark, Vienna might one day wonder why her parents hadn’t acted when they had the opportunity. Despite her worries, Casey made it obvious that she loved Vienna without conditions: “We cherish every moment watching her grow, and we know that she is beautiful just as she is,” Casey said, “but we also want her to have the choice and not feel different from other kids because of something we could help with.”
The reaction of strangers to Vienna’s baby, despite the fact that she was still a newborn, made Casey decide to have her birthmark removed. She was concerned about the potential long-term effects of the stares and whispers, and some even made unkind remarks. With the help of friends, family, and kind donors who supported their fundraising efforts, Casey was able to get Vienna to have surgery, which went well, and by the time Vienna turned two, the birthmark had been completely removed, leaving only a slight scar.
