© ABCnews
Brilio.net/en - Charlie Crenshaw is an adorable 6-month-old who happens to have a birthmark, known as a capillary hemagioma, on the right side of her face. Other than that, shes a happy and healthy baby who makes her mother, Katie Crenshaw, so very proud of her.
But unfortunately for months, it hasnt been her cuteness anyone has wanted to talk about, but rather her birthmark, and this has Crenshaw truly fed up with having to explain the birthmark.
On her blog Twelve and Six, Crenshaw noted that the birthmark was completely "cosmetic" and would likely fade. People often have well-intentioned questions about the mark, but somehow, sometimes it felt inquisitive. She is thankful for peoples concern, but would be more thankful if they would keep from giving uninformed suggestions or platitudes.
"We dont need to talk about it every time you look at her. We see past the color of her face. Charlie is Charlie and its part of who she is. It doesnt need to be constantly commented on, critiqued, or questioned. While I dont mind educating curious minds, I dont need your opinion on how it its progress or the affect it may have on her. Its a part of her unique beauty. It may never disappear, and guess what? It doesnt have to," she wrote on her blog.
Charlies birthmark, which is a form of vascular tumor, doesn't have any known cause or prevention. But Crenshaw is glad that her daughter is happy and healthy, and doesnt need any prayers that will somehow magically cure the birthmark.
What if I came up to you and loudly asked Whats wrong with your babys weird ____ ? Or, I will pray for your child that her (genetically unusual quality) goes away, she wrote.
Since writing the story on her blog, Crewnshaw's post has attracted hundreds of other parents, many of them struggling with the same issue. While the reaction has been Overwhelmingly positive, with some sanctimonious judgment sprinkled in, she's (mostly) been overwhelmed with support.
I have received hundreds of beautiful messages from people all over the world, at least 20 countries, who have grown up with large birthmarks on their face that say they owe their confidence and individuality to their difference and the way their parents responded to it, she said, according to Mashable.
It seems like shes not the only one whos fed up of peoples pity. Too often, as folks from Mashable wrote, words of sympathy dont help anyone but the sympathizer. All Crenshaw wants is for people to skip her daughters birthmark and ask better questions.
(brl/red)
