This Mom Had the Best Response to People Who Won't Stop Talking About Her Daughter's Facial Birthmark
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Atlanta blogger Katie Crenshaw's post about annoying and repetitive questions regarding her six-month old daughter Charlie's facial birthmark is going viral and starting a dialogue about stigmatizing people who look different.
Crenshaw, who writes about parenting over at her blog Twelve & Six, revealed in a recent post that Charlie's condition capillary hemangioma "is usually the first thing people notice about her." While Crenshaw doesn't get angry about "brief stares" because it's only "human nature to do a double take when you see something about someone that makes them different," she'd like people to see beyond Charlie's facial appearance.
"We don’t need to talk about it every time you look at her," Crenshaw wrote. "We see past the color of her face. Charlie is Charlie and it’s part of who she is. It doesn’t need to be constantly commented on, critiqued, or questioned."
Crenshaw added that the birthmark "may never disappear," and that's OK because Crenshaw "would much rather chat about her latest milestone achievement, her amazing smile, or how gorgeous her eyes are." Crenshaw reminded readers that her daughter doesn't need "pity" or prayers from others that the birthmark will disappear someday.
"I’m constantly being asked 'when will that go away?' I’ve even heard things as harsh as 'turn her to her good side' or 'too bad, she’s so pretty otherwise,'" Crenshaw wrote. "She doesn’t have a 'good side' that we choose for family pictures. I don’t retouch her hemangioma in photos. Her entire face is my sweet Charlie, and it doesn’t matter what it looks like."
ATTN: has reached out to Crenshaw about her post and will update this story if she responds.
So far, the post has been well-received on Crenshaw's blog and on social media.
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Crenshaw told BuzzFeed News that she "had no idea" her story would reach so many people and that she hopes to “normalize ‘differences’ in appearances."
“People tend to immediately pity people who look different and I would like to change that conversation and embrace difference,” she told BuzzFeed News. “I hope Charlie will grow up as an example that beauty isn’t synonymous with society’s definition of flawless.”
Crenshaw isn't the only mother who has gone online to stand up for her child against rude questions and comments.
Earlier this year, Texas mother AliceAnn Meyer called out online trolls who turned a photo of her son Jameson into a cruel meme. Jameson has Pfeiffer syndrome, a rare genetic condition that results in abnormal skull growth and impacts a person's face and head shape.
Though Meyer has been profoundly disappointed by online bullies who mock her son, she told inspirational news site The Mighty earlier this year that she has greatly appreciated the social media support people have shown for her family.
“I will always remember reading complete strangers comments standing up for Jameson," Meyer said. "That made a difference to me. You don’t need to stoop to their level to make a difference or be heard. I can attest to that because so many people have heard our story!”
