Parents will go to extraordinary lengths to protect their children, and for one couple, that instinct proved especially strong. Their story begins with a decision made out of pure love — and a desire to shield their daughter from future pain.
When baby Vienna Brookshaw was born in April 2021, her mother, Celine Casey, felt overwhelming joy — until she noticed something unusual on her newborn’s face.
Born in the U.K., Vienna had a dark, noticeable mark between her eyebrows. Celine’s heart dropped. Had something gone wrong during the pregnancy?
Doctors quickly reassured her that the mark was harmless. But even with that relief, Celine worried about how the birthmark might affect her daughter emotionally as she grew older.
The mark was diagnosed as congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), a rare condition that appears in only around 20,000 babies. It’s caused by a cluster of pigment cells formed before birth and typically enlarges as the child grows.
While not medically dangerous, the birthmark’s location meant Vienna could face stares, questions, and unkind comments — especially from strangers who speak before thinking.
And that’s when her parents made a profound decision.
**Understanding Vienna’s condition**
Because CMN can grow unpredictably, no one could tell how much Vienna’s mark might expand over time. Celine knew she didn’t want her daughter to struggle with that as she grew up.
She immediately asked doctors about removal options. She later shared that she feared Vienna might someday resent them for not trying to take the birthmark off while she was young.
“We love seeing her grow on her journey, and we can’t wait for the day she can speak for herself so we can hear her opinion. We’d love her no matter what, even if we kept the birthmark,” Celine said.
But even during infancy, Celine and her partner noticed people staring. They saw their daughter being treated differently from other babies — and that strengthened their resolve to pursue removal.
When the NHS declined the procedure, listing it as cosmetic rather than medically necessary, Celine turned elsewhere for help. She launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise the money needed for private surgery.
**A setback — and a second chance**
The NHS refusal wasn’t unusual; they typically deny surgeries that don’t impact physical health. But for Celine, this wasn’t about vanity — it was about her daughter’s emotional well-being.
The couple raised $52,000 in just 24 hours. But with post-pandemic hospital costs surging, they still fell short by $27,000.
So they returned to GoFundMe for additional support.
“Everyone has insecurities about their body,” Celine explained. “The doctor said he’d respect that, but he felt Vienna’s mark wouldn’t affect her mental health right now. But she’ll start school at three, and little kids notice everything. They point things out.”
**A new chapter**
Today, Vienna is three years old, and the birthmark has been fully removed — leaving only a tiny scar on her forehead. Celine often shares updates online, celebrating her daughter’s healing and calling her “gorgeous.”
Even after the removal, the couple traveled to London so the surgeon could check the scar’s progress and determine whether further procedures were needed. After three surgeries, the good news is that Vienna is healthy, thriving, and doesn’t currently require more treatment.
We send our warmest wishes to little Brookshaw. May she continue to grow strong and healthy! Share her story to let others know about her remarkable journey.
