“We Got Stares,” Parents Dare to Remove Their Daughter’s Unusual Birthmark Due to Fear of Mockery

A mother recently shared a heartwarming moment when her baby girl said goodbye to the birthmark on her forehead. This moment was especially meaningful after facing criticism from medical authorities, who had questioned her decision to remove it. For the mother, this farewell symbolized not just the end of a long journey but also her hopes for her daughter’s confidence and comfort as she grows.

A rare birthmark

Meet Celine Casey and her three-year-old daughter, Vienna Shaw, born with a rare condition known as congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN) — a unique birthmark that appears on the forehead and affects only one in every 20,000 newborns. From the moment she saw it, Celine was overwhelmed with concern, wondering if anything during her pregnancy had caused it, though she knew little about what it could mean for Vienna’s future.

What she did know, however, was her deep hope for Vienna to grow up feeling confident and unburdened by the feeling of standing out. With this goal in mind, Celine was determined to explore every option to have the birthmark removed.

Although Brookshaw’s birthmark didn't pose any risk to her physical health, Casey was aware of its potential effects on her daughter’s mental well-being as she got older and interacted with curious peers. Celine mentioned that there were moments when the family chose to cover Vienna's birthmark, saying, “We went out daily with her, and we got a few stares.”

Nonetheless, the surgery turned out to be a difficult and demanding process.

When the family turned to the NHS for help, they were met with disappointing news: doctors explained they couldn’t perform the surgery to remove the birthmark, as it was considered a cosmetic procedure.

However, the parents saw the situation in a different light. Their concerns centered around the possibility of other children teasing their daughter, which could impact her mental well-being from an early age. Casey also feared that leaving the birthmark untreated might eventually lead her daughter to harbor resentment toward both her and her partner.

Determined to find a solution, the parents decided to raise the necessary funds on their own. Through crowdfunding, they managed to collect $52,000 in just 24 hours. However, as hospital costs rose in 2020, they needed an additional $27,000. With a renewed appeal for support, they ultimately reached their goal.

They endured challenging times dealing with doctors.

A disagreement between the medical team and Vienna's parents has led to a divide in perspectives. Vienna's parents wanted the birthmark removed through surgery, but the surgeon refused, arguing that only Vienna, when old enough, should make that choice herself.

Amid the controversy, Vienna's father, Daniel Brookshaw, voiced his disappointment with the doctor's stance. The surgeon further noted consulting a dermatologist, who concurred, emphasizing that the birthmark poses no health risks and is non-cancerous.

However, the surgery was successfully completed.

Now three years old, Vienna has successfully undergone surgery to remove her birthmark, leaving only a faint scar between her eyebrows. Casey frequently shares updates on Shaw's scar and recovery on social media, where followers express admiration for how beautiful the little girl looks.

Even after the birthmark was removed, the family continues to travel between cities for regular evaluations of the scar's healing and to determine if any additional procedures are needed beyond the three already performed. Shaw is now relishing the life of a typical toddler.

Vienna's experience with her birthmark highlights the delicate balance between parental advocacy and a child's autonomy in medical decisions. Recently, another mother faced criticism for choosing to laser off her young son’s large birthmark.