Meet Vienna Shaw, a brave two-year-old who recently said goodbye to a rare birthmark on her forehead. Her mom, Celine Casey, shared their journey of overcoming obstacles to ensure Vienna’s happiness.
photo credit viennarosebrookshaw / Instagram, viennarosebrookshaw / Instagram, Celine Casey / Facebook
#1
Vienna was born with a special birthmark called congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), which is very rare, only affecting one out of every 20,000 babies. When Vienna was born, her mom worried about what this birthmark might mean for her daughter’s future. Although the birthmark didn’t affect Vienna’s health, her mom knew it could affect her feelings as she grew up, especially when other kids might ask questions or stare.
#2
When Vienna’s parents asked for help from doctors, they were told that removing the birthmark would be considered a cosmetic procedure and couldn’t be done through the NHS (National Health Service). But Vienna’s parents were determined to help her feel confident and happy, so they decided to raise money themselves. They asked for help through crowdfunding, and in just one day, they raised $52,000. But they needed more money because hospital costs had gone up. With the help of generous donors, they finally reached their goal.
#3
#4
However, when they asked the surgeon to remove the birthmark, the surgeon refused. The surgeon believed that only Vienna, when she grew up, should decide whether to remove the birthmark or not.
#5
Despite the disagreement, Vienna’s parents went ahead with the surgery. Now, Vienna is two years old, and her birthmark is gone, leaving only a small scar between her eyebrows. Her mom, Celine, shares updates about Vienna’s recovery on social media, where people comment on how beautiful she looks.
#6
Even though the birthmark is gone, Vienna still has to go for check-ups to make sure everything is healing well. She’s now living life like any other two-year-old.
#7
Vienna’s story makes us think about the balance between parents wanting the best for their kids and respecting their children’s choices when it comes to medical decisions. It’s a reminder of the important discussions around kids’ rights in healthcare.
