Vienna Brookshaw, born in April 2021 in the UK, had a birthmark between her eyebrows known as congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN). Concerned about potential emotional challenges as Vienna grew up, her mother, Celine Casey, sought to have it removed despite it not affecting Vienna’s health.

“When Vienna was a baby, people would stare at her,” Casey recalled. “Others treated her differently.” This motivated Casey to pursue surgery to remove the birthmark, initially denied by the NHS as cosmetic. Undeterred, Casey launched a successful fundraising campaign, raising $52,000 within 24 hours but needing more due to increased hospital costs during the pandemic.

Vienna underwent three surgeries, resulting in a small scar on her forehead, but is now a healthy two-year-old. Casey continues to update on Vienna’s progress, describing her daughter as “gorgeous.”

“We enjoy watching her grow,” Casey said. “Even if we kept the birthmark, we’d love her no matter what.” Now, Vienna’s future is bright, free from the birthmark that once caused concern but left only a minor scar as a reminder of her journey.