We all face challenges, but this story is about overcoming them! Brenna and her parents demonstrate how pure parental love endures all!
Some parents give their children away because of their appearance, but the best parents love them unconditionally.
We believe it is important to share the best tales to inspire people and help them realize that no obstacle is too difficult with a little assistance and inspiration!
There’s also a message for those who might judge others by appearance.
Courtney and Evan Westlake were happy with their baby Connor until they discovered Courtney was pregnant again!
The couple was thrilled to learn of her pregnancy and wanted to grow their family.
They were eagerly awaiting their first ultrasound and looking forward to having another child.
The doctors informed them their kid was OK and progressing each time they went to the hospital.
A few more months into the pregnancy, Courtney and Evan learnt they were having a girl and their son would have a sister.
The family was thrilled, and the couple planned everything they wanted to do and what the kid would do for them.
Father Evan said:
“I must learn braiding now”
Prior to New Year’s Eve, a daughter was delivered, shattering all their preparations.
They named their baby Breanna, but she was born with thick white scales, didn’t move, was excessively hot, and had sores. It was sad and worrisome for both parents!
Brenna needed to be transported to intensive care immediately to survive.
Two weeks after her birth, her parents held her for the first time.
Brenna was born with a dangerous inherited condition, Harlequin ichthyosis.
The illness makes Brenna’s skin grow ten times quicker than normal.
This accelerated growth produces redness all over her body, issues with her eyes, mouth, nose, and ears.
So terrible for this little kid, the sickness has no cure and often kills!
The family faced a long road ahead due to Harlekin ichthyosis’ difficulties, which made it difficult for her to live a regular life.
People didn’t comprehend Brenna’s situation and would stare, point, make loud comments, and ask numerous questions. It was hard.
Courtney feels sad sometimes, but she knows other kids are fascinated by her appearance.
Courtney is most concerned by other parents’ behavior, how they take their children away from Brenna, their ignorance, and how they instruct their children to be quiet as they approach Brenna.
Courtney would prefer that her parents approached her and Brenna, but they look away and leave the playground, which is the worst thing possible.
Brenna is a confident, proud little girl. She is strong with family support and doesn’t allow anyone bring her down.
Naturally, big brother Connor adores and supports his little sister!
“Why do parents try to avoid talking to people who look different? What are they afraid of? They could just come up to me and ask how old Brenna is”
“When their child asks why Brenna is so red and swollen, why can’t they just be honest and say ‘I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter how we look. We’re all unique’?”
Even though they have really challenging days, Evan Connor and Courtney are really proud of what they achieve and how they cope and support each other, and with good reason too!
Without fail each night Evan bahts his daughter really carefully, and gently, it must be done every single day.
The same guy that joked about learning to braid his daughter’s hair now massages the rich cream she has to have on every day into her scaly skin that just keeps growing.
The disease has a kind of side effect, that Brenna doesn’t have much hair, but every day dad combs the hair she does have, carefully…
Brenna is just like other children in most other ways and she really loves her family, she adores playing with her big brother, and of course bedtime stories too, with dad and big bro!
Brenna’s mommy and daddy are quite rightly convinced that she can do whatever she wants and sets her mind to in life, and why shouldn’t she!
Courtney now writes every day about her family and her life, she has also written a book called ‘A Different Beautiful’, it was published back in August 2016.
The family hopes the book will share their emotional journey and help others respect others who look different.
Don’t you think Brianna is gorgeous as she is?
Please tell your friends and family about this amazing story. We hope this tale and book dispels misconceptions regarding this illness.
