In April 2021, Vienna Brookshaw was born in the United Kingdom. From the moment her mother, Celine Casey, laid eyes on her, she noticed a birthmark between Vienna’s eyebrows on her forehead. While this birthmark, known as congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), had no impact on Vienna’s health, Casey worried about the emotional toll it could take on her daughter as she grew older.
CMN is a unique condition, and no one could have anticipated the increasing size of Vienna’s birthmark as she got older. Casey wanted to ensure that her daughter wouldn’t face any difficulties or insecurities in the future. She wanted Vienna to grow up with confidence and the ability to express her own thoughts.
Casey consulted with physicians, hoping they could offer a solution. Her biggest fear was that, in the future, Vienna would become angry with her parents if they didn’t address the birthmark. However, regardless of the birthmark’s presence, Casey and her husband were unconditionally in love with their daughter.
As a baby, Vienna’s birthmark attracted unwanted attention from others, causing Casey to feel even more determined to have it removed. She noticed that people treated Vienna differently compared to other babies. Casey wanted to spare her daughter any potential challenges or stares that might affect her self-esteem.
However, when Casey approached the National Health Service (NHS) for the surgery, they declined her request. In general, the NHS focuses on procedures essential to an individual’s physical well-being and oftentimes considers cosmetic surgeries as non-essential.
Undeterred, Casey launched a campaign to raise funds for the surgery from alternative sources. In a single day, kind-hearted individuals contributed $52,000 towards the cause. Unfortunately, due to the unexpected rise in medical expenses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the young parents still needed an additional $27,000 for the procedure.
Even though Vienna’s journey has not been without its challenges, her parents are committed to supporting her every step of the way. They want her to grow up feeling loved and confident, knowing that they went above and beyond to ensure her happiness and well-being.
