A Mother’s Tough Decision and Online Backlash

When Brooke Atkins welcomed her son Kingsley in 2022, she quickly realized his journey would be far from ordinary. Kingsley was born with a large Port Wine Stain (PWS) birthmark that covered one side of his face. While these marks are sometimes harmless, doctors discovered that Kingsley’s was linked to Sturge-Weber Syndrome and glaucoma—serious conditions that can cause seizures and even blindness.

At just six months old, Brooke and her partner, Kewene Wallace, made the difficult decision to start laser treatments on Kingsley’s birthmark. The goal was to protect his health, not to change his appearance. However, when Brooke shared their decision online, she was met with cruel criticism. Strangers accused her of being more concerned about her baby’s looks than his well-being, with some even calling her a “monster.”

Brooke bravely defended her choice, explaining that without treatment, Port Wine Stains can darken and thicken over time, making them harder to treat and more likely to cause complications. It wasn’t about vanity—it was about saving her son’s health.

Read Part 2