Parents will go to great lengths for their children—especially when it comes to protecting them. And for one couple, that instinct kicked in right away. Keep reading to find out how far they went for their little girl.
One in 20,000
When baby Vienna Brookshaw was born in April 2021, her mother, Celine Casey, was overjoyed. But her happiness quickly gave way to concern when she noticed something unusual.
Born in the United Kingdom, Vienna had a noticeable dark mark between her eyebrows. Celine’s heart dropped. Could something have gone wrong during pregnancy?
Thankfully, doctors assured her the mark wasn’t harmful. Still, Celine couldn’t shake the worry—what impact would it have on her daughter’s self-esteem as she grew up?
Doctors identified the mark as congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN)—a rare condition seen in only about 20,000 newborns. It’s caused by a collection of pigment-producing cells that develop before birth and often enlarge over time.
Although CMN isn’t dangerous, the location of Vienna’s mark made her parents fear she would be the target of uncomfortable stares, invasive questions, or even cruel remarks from strangers. So they made a bold, life-altering choice.
Facing the unknown
Since the condition was uncommon and its growth unpredictable, her parents were left with uncertainty. But one thing was clear to Celine: she didn’t want her daughter growing up burdened by the mark.
She wasted no time asking doctors about removal options. Celine explained that she worried Vienna might one day question why they didn’t take action when she was young.
“We love watching her grow and experience the world,” Celine said. “And we look forward to the day she can express how she feels. Whether or not we had the birthmark removed, we’d love her unconditionally.”
From the very beginning, Casey and her partner noticed something troubling — strangers were already staring at their newborn daughter.
It was clear to them that Vienna was being treated differently than other infants, and that deeply affected them. This only strengthened Casey’s determination to do something about her daughter’s birthmark.
Surgery Denied by the NHS
Unfortunately, when they sought help through the National Health Service, their request for surgery was turned down. The procedure was deemed non-essential and classified as cosmetic, making it ineligible for public funding.
Undeterred, the devoted mother turned to the internet for support. She launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for private treatment.
Raising Support
Amazingly, within just 24 hours, generous donors contributed $52,000 toward the surgery. But due to the sharp rise in medical costs following the COVID-19 pandemic, that still wasn’t enough. They needed an additional $27,000 to cover the full expenses.
Once again, the couple appealed to the public through GoFundMe to make up the difference and help give their daughter the best chance at a confident, happy future.
Casey explained, “Everyone has things they’re self-conscious about. The doctor understood that, but he said Vienna wasn’t yet at an age where it would affect her emotionally. Still, we knew she’d be starting school soon, and kids notice everything — they speak their minds.”
A Happy Outcome
Today, Vienna is three years old, and the birthmark has been completely removed. All that remains is a faint scar on her forehead — a small reminder of a much bigger journey. Her mom regularly shares updates on Vienna’s recovery, always praising how “beautiful” her daughter is.
Even after the initial procedures, the family traveled to London so the surgeon could monitor the healing process and determine whether any further treatment was needed. After undergoing three surgeries, Vienna is now a healthy toddler — and, for the moment, no additional care is required.
Sending Little Vienna Our Love
We’re wishing Vienna all the best as she continues to grow up strong and happy! Please share her story with others to help spread awareness and support.
