Everyone comes into the world unique, yet not all differences are embraced the same way. While individuality should be celebrated, judgment still shapes how people are perceived—sometimes pushing individuals to change their appearance out of insecurity. When it comes to children, those decisions often ignite intense public debate.
That’s exactly what happened with Australian mother Brooke Atkins and her young son, Kingsley.
Kingsley – born with port-wine stain birthmarks
Kingsley entered the world with port-wine stain birthmarks covering half of his face. While these marks are often harmless, doctors warned that their location—particularly around the eyes—could pose serious health risks, including glaucoma or even Sturge-Weber syndrome.
Concerned for her son’s well-being, Brooke chose to move forward with laser treatment—not for cosmetic reasons, but to protect his health.
Being comfortable in your own skin is something many strive for, even if it’s not always easy. Some people make small changes, while others take more significant steps to feel confident. In Kingsley’s case, however, the decision was rooted in medical necessity rather than appearance.
Underwent laser treatment
Shortly after his birth in January 2022, doctors identified increased pressure in Kingsley’s eyes, raising concerns about potential glaucoma.
“After having to watch my son have a speculum placed in his eyes, it was determined that his pressures were quite high and that it looked like glaucoma had kicked in,” Brooke wrote on Instagram in February 2022.
“They gave me eye drops to relieve the pressure and told me to take photos every couple of days, to see if the eye was getting bigger or not. He was booked in for a week later to see if it had got worse and if so, to schedule an operation under general anaesthetic.”
She later described the emotional toll of the situation.
“Due to Covid, I attended this appointment by myself and although I held it together, by the time I went into the toilets at the end, I completely broke down. Reality had hit – my child could go blind in one eye.”
Medical experts note that port-wine stains can darken over time and, in some cases, lead to complications. Laser therapy is commonly used—not necessarily to erase the mark, but to maintain healthy skin and reduce risks.
Mother was called a “monster”
Despite the medical reasoning, Brooke’s decision triggered backlash online after she shared Kingsley’s journey on TikTok. Some users harshly criticized her, accusing her of putting her child through unnecessary procedures.
“Don’t think I could laser my baby,” one user wrote.
“That birthmark is barely visible, what you’re doing to him is horrible, it’s more for you than him,” another said.
“Brainwashed mother making her kid insecure the second he gets out the womb,” another commented.
The criticism deeply affected Brooke.
“Honestly, when I first started reading the negative comments, I sat there for a good half an hour and cried to myself,” she said.
“I had a whole heap of mum guilt, and it made me question my decision. Even though I knew I was doing the right thing, the cruel words still played in my head.”
“This wasn’t for cosmetic reasons”
While some responses were negative, others came to her defense, praising her for prioritizing her child’s health.
“You’re the mom and you know what is the best for him,” one user told her.
“I would have done the same thing and wished I had a strong mum like you to help educate,” another stated.
“I never realized it could affect health!? Thank you for the video he is adorable!” a third user wrote.
Brooke emphasized that the decision was never about appearance.
“I just wish these people had known about the health issues connected to these types of birthmarks before writing these things, that this wasn’t for cosmetic reasons and that as parents, this was the hardest decision we have had to make.”
“That the last six months have been extremely hard on us and reading these comments, actually do hurt – this is the last thing we need, judgment from those who have no understanding around my son’s conditions.”
This is Kingsley today
Today, Kingsley continues his treatment and is responding well. His journey has attracted a growing audience online, with thousands following his progress.
In a recent update shared by the family, it was revealed that he has already undergone multiple laser sessions, with encouraging results.
“I remember when Kingsley first started getting his laser treatments and was so afraid of what others would think. I hated the looks and was worried people would think I had hurt my baby. 4 years on and I honestly couldn’t care less. We had quite a few stares today. People looking concerned or curious as to what was on his face. They awkwardly smiled at me and I laughed inside. It doesn’t bother me anymore, if people have questions go ahead and ask but most will look and then continue on with their day. I’m at peace with my decision to laser,” they wrote.
“Kingsley also hasn’t needed pain meds or cream. It’s healing good and if he doesn’t see it, he doesn’t realise he has the dots on his face. He’s never really had pain afterwards which is great! I will say I used to think the awake treatments were more traumatic, but after yesterday, I’m not sure what’s worse,” they added.
Kingsley’s story continues to spark conversation—raising difficult but important questions about parenting decisions, medical necessity, and the role of public opinion in deeply personal choices.
