Moms always know best — but that doesn’t stop the judgment.
Brooke Atkins, a 33-year-old mom from Gold Coast, Australia, faced harsh criticism online after sharing her baby son Kingsley’s medical journey on TikTok. Born with a large “port wine” birthmark on his face, Kingsley was later diagnosed with glaucoma and Sturge Weber Syndrome — conditions that can worsen over time.
To prevent future complications, Brooke and her husband chose to begin laser treatments early. “The treatments aren’t cosmetic,” Brooke explained, “they help keep the skin healthy and prevent damage.”
Despite her good intentions, Brooke was called a “monster” by online trolls who accused her of making her baby insecure. Some said the mark was “barely visible” and suggested she was doing it for herself, not her son.
The backlash was heartbreaking. “I cried for half an hour,” Brooke admitted. “Even though I knew I was doing the right thing, the comments stuck with me.”
Thankfully, the support from others outweighed the hate. Brooke hopes critics can understand this wasn’t a cosmetic choice — it was about protecting her child’s health.
“Kingsley is the happiest, sweetest boy you’ll ever meet,” she said. “As parents, this was one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make.”
