We are all born differently, and in my opinion, that’s something to celebrate.
Sadly, not all people feel the same way. Sometimes, individuals are quick to judge and criticize others for the way they look. On occasion, this can lead to people wanting to change or modify their appearance because they’re self-conscious.
This, in turn, can lead to huge debates about what’s acceptable or not, especially as it pertains to children. Australian mother Brooke Atkins and her son Kingsley know a thing or two about that.
Kingsley was born with birthmarks that covered half of his face. Now, port-wine stain birthmarks don’t have to be dangerous. However, when they covers the eyes – as they did in Kingsley’s case – it can lead to Sturge-Weber syndrome or glaucoma.
Brooke decided to help her child by getting her laser treatment to keep the skin healthy. However, people on the internet reacted by slamming the mother, labeling her a “monster.”
Here’s all you need to know about little Kingsley, and how he looks now …
Being comfortable in your skin is an essential thing in life. Sure, we all have things we’re perhaps not completely happy with, but in the end, feeling comfortable and accepted for who you are is crucial. The key – easier said than done, we might add – is to accept yourself rather than chase acceptance from others.
Some people fix hairstyles, go to the gym, or even turn to surgery in a bid to change their appearance. Others feel like change at a more fundamental level is what’s needed.
Kingsley – born with port-wine stain birthmarks
We will constantly reiterate that you should always do whatever makes you happy and comfortable. However, we also advise that you see a legit specialist if you’re ever considering plastic surgery – no matter what it’s for. Your body is on the line, so do your research well.
In Hollywood, many celebrities have chosen to go through with plastic surgery. Some have fixed more minor things, such as removing wrinkles or maybe receiving a nose job, while others have taken drastic measures to enhance their appearance.
These days, it’s hardly just celebrities that undergo different procedures. In fact, there are even examples of parents choosing to let their children be operated on too. In the example in question, however, the mother was doing it to help her child, not for cosmetic reasons.
Even so, the internet doesn’t entirely agree.
In January, Brooke Atkins from Gold Coast, Australia gave birth to her second child. The baby boy was named Kingsley, but right after he was born, doctors noticed that something wasn’t quite right. Half of his face was covered in birthmarks known as port-wine stain birthmarks.
“After having to watch my son have a speculum placed in his eyes, it was determined that his pressures were quite high and that it looked like glaucoma had kicked in,” Brooke wrote on Instagram back in February.
“They gave me eye drops to relieve the pressure and told me to take photos every couple of days, to see if the eye was getting bigger or not. He was booked in for a week later to see if it had got worse and if so, to schedule an operation under general anaesthetic.”
Underwent laser treatment
She added: “Due to Covid, I attended this appointment by myself and although I held it together, by the time I went into the toilets at the end, I completely broke down. Reality had hit – my child could go blind in one eye.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, port-wine stain birthmarks start pinkish or reddish and turn darker as the child grows. The affected skin “may thicken slightly and develop an irregular, pebbled surface in adulthood.”
Port-wine stains are usually harmless, but according to the Mayo Clinic, they can cause medical problems and emotional stress. The usual treatment to remove them is laser therapy.
Port-wine stains can occur with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome or Sturge-Weber syndrome, which according to the site, “requires regular medical evaluation.”
Moreover, as reported by the NY Post, Sturge-Weber syndrome can cause seizures and other disabilities. Not only this, but port-wine stains over the eyes can cause glaucoma, which can subsequently lead to blindness.
According to reports, round three in every 1,000 babies have a port wine stain. They are more common in girls than boys, though the reason for this is not known.
When Kingsley was born, mother Broke and father Kewene decided to let their son undergo laser treatments in May.
Mother was called a “monster”
“When he was first born, we were referred to the Queensland Children’s Hospital dermatology and vascular department, where they organize the first treatment and explain in further details why laser would be important,” Atkins explained, as reported by the NY Post.
“The purpose of the laser treatments are not to ‘remove’ the birthmark but instead keep the skin healthy, to prevent any further damage to the area.”
Brooke Atkins wanted to show the world how beautiful their newborn son was, both with and without his birthmarks. However, as soon as she posted pictures and videos of Kingsley on social media application TikTok, things took a swift turn.
People on social media started labeling Brooke a “monster” for allowing her child to undergo laser surgery.
“Don’t think I could laser my baby,” one user wrote, as quoted by Daily Mail.
“That birthmark is barely visible, what you’re doing to him is horrible, it’s more for you than him,” another said.
“Brainwashed mother making her kid insecure the second he gets out the womb,” another commented.
Brooke Atkins was devastated when reading the comments she received.
“Honestly, when I first started reading the negative comments, I sat there for a good half an hour and cried to myself,” she said.
“I had a whole heap of mum guilt, and it made me question my decision. Even though I knew I was doing the right thing, the cruel words still played in my head.”
“This wasn’t for cosmetic reasons”
But at the same time, though many were negative, accusing Brooke of being a “monster” to her child, others were the opposite. Many comments also focused on how brave she was for helping her child.
“You’re the mom and you know what is the best for him,” one user told her.
“I would have done the same thing and wished I had a strong mum like you to help educate,” another stated.
“I never realized it could affect health!? Thank you for the video he is adorable!” a third user wrote.
Brooke continued: “I just wish these people had known about the health issues connected to these types of birthmarks before writing these things, that this wasn’t for cosmetic reasons and that as parents, this was the hardest decision we have had to make.”
“That the last six months have been extremely hard on us and reading these comments, actually do hurt – this is the last thing we need, judgment from those who have no understanding around my son’s conditions.”
Today, more than 34,000 people are following little Kingsley’s journey on social media.
This is Kingsley today
As time passes, positive comments continue to reach Brooke and the rest of her family. Kingsley, meanwhile, is thriving and responding well to the his treatments. His second laser appointment is scheduled for August.
Suffice it to say that Kingsley – with or without the birthmarks – is a beautiful little boy.
“Over 20 hospital appointments, two different hospitals, over 10 different specialists and doctors, five different medical departments, three MRI’s, one ultrasound, two hearing tests, two operations, two laser treatments and three diagnoses, all in six months – yet he is the happiest, most loving and sweetest boy you will ever meet!” Brooke Atkins says.
What do you think of this? Should parents be able to opt for laser treatments on their babies or not?
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