The emotional journey of a resilient baby with a lovely nose and a charming birthmark
A horrified mother has responded to cruel bullies who made derogatory comments about her daughter’s facial birthmark. Marianna Bowering, a 27-year-old beauty therapist from Adelaide, has always embraced her daughter Angelica’s dark facial birthmark as a unique and beautiful feature. Angelica, now one year old, was born with a port wine stain across her face, which Marianna lovingly refers to as an “angel kiss” due to its incredible heart shape. However, not everyone has been accepting of Angelica’s birthmark, and Marianna often receives hurtful comments both in person and online.
Marianna has faced hurtful comments about her daughter’s appearance, including one where someone asked if Angelica’s face had been “pushed onto a skillet.” Another person at a soccer game called her a “defect.” These hurtful comments extend to online platforms as well, where people have described Angelica as hideous and claimed she would never find a boyfriend. Some even criticized Marianna for allowing her daughter to play with boiling water. Despite the negativity, Marianna remains resolute in her love for her daughter and refuses to hide her or her birthmark. She believes that Angelica is stunning just the way she is.
To share her daughter’s story and raise awareness, Marianna created an Instagram page for Angelica. Unfortunately, even on this platform, Marianna encounters negative comments. She finds it absurd and disheartening that adults would bully a baby, emphasizing that Angelica is not even two years old yet. Marianna firmly stands against the bullies, vowing to never let their hurtful words influence her pride and love for her daughter.
Marianna explains that while some insults are obvious, there are also instances where strangers in public make thoughtless and insensitive comments or give backhanded compliments. Some people seem to believe that the birthmark will fade over time, suggesting Angelica can cover it up with makeup in the future. Marianna disagrees with this viewpoint and believes Angelica should be proud of her birthmark and flaunt it if she chooses to do so. She also finds it frustrating when people tell her not to worry because Angelica is “still beautiful,” as it diminishes the uniqueness of her appearance.
Despite the challenges, Marianna appreciates the opportunity to educate others and raise awareness about port wine stains. She acknowledges that some people may be in denial about the condition, hoping it will fade away. Marianna dislikes when strangers approach her with questions, considering it somewhat rude, but she takes these opportunities to educate and increase understanding.
A port wine stain is a permanent red or blue-colored birthmark that is present from birth. It most commonly appears on the face but can also occur on other parts of the body. Marianna, together with her husband Corey, was initially unaware that port wine stains could indicate other health concerns such as developmental delays, seizures, or glaucoma, particularly because Angelica’s birthmark covered her eyes. However, they are relieved that Angelica is healthy and will undergo regular check-ups to ensure no additional health issues arise from the birthmark. Marianna is incredibly proud of her daughter and is determined to instill in her the belief that her birthmark is what makes her beautiful and unique.
Looking ahead, Marianna worries about the challenges Angelica may face during her school years. However, she hopes that by that time, there will be more awareness and education about accepting and celebrating differences. It pains her to think of anyone being mean to her daughter, but she finds solace in Angelica’s current confidence and fearlessness. Marianna believes her daughter will overcome any obstacles and emphasizes that Angelica is more than her birthmark. She is her own person, no different from anyone else.
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