A mother who was called a ‘monster’ for treating her five-month-old son’s port wine birthmark with laser therapy has revealed he has reached a major health milestone.
Brooke Atkins, from the Gold Coast, shared a video of now 18-month-old Kingsley in June to celebrate him going an entire month without a seizure.
‘This is the longest he has gone seizure-free since September last year,’ Ms Atkins wrote.
‘We know it won’t last forever but will take the small wins as they come!’
Kingsley was born in January last year with a large port wine birthmark on half his face.
After learning the possibly detrimental effects of the stain, Ms Atkins said she and her partner Kewene Wallace made the difficult decision for their baby to undergo laser treatment.
Port wine birthmarks are usually considered harmless but if on the face – as in 65 per cent of cases – they can be linked glaucoma and Sturge Weber Syndrome.
A glaucoma can cause vision problems and headaches while Sturge Weber Syndrome impairs brain function and can cause seizures.
Kingsley (pictured during laser treatment) was born with a port wine birthmark over half his face
Gold Coast mum Brooke Atkins (pictured holding Kingsley during his laser treatment) has said her 18-month-old son went a whole month without suffering a seizure in June
Kingsley has been diagnosed with both.
The unique birthmarks are also known to change over time.
They can darken, create bumps or cause vascular blebs – abnormal blood vessels that can be dangerous if they bleed.
‘The only way to treat a port wine stain is through laser treatments and the most effective laser for a it is called a Pulsed Dye Laser,’ Ms Atkins explained last year.
‘When he was first born, we were referred to the Queensland Children’s Hospital dermatology and vascular department where they organised the first treatment and explain in further details why laser would be important.
‘The purpose of the laser treatments are not to “remove” the birthmark but instead keep the skin healthy, to prevent any further damage to the area.’
Kingsley’s original birthmark (left) was light but laser treatment from when he was five-months-old has almost completely erased it (right)
Kingsley’s birthmark looked light in colour when he was first born and darkened as he proceeded with laser treatment.
Now, at 18 months old, the stain is almost completely gone and Kingsley is at a much lower risk of future complications.
Ms Atkins and her partner often questioned whether they were making the right choice during Kingsley’s treatment but said they’re grateful they saw it through.
‘The whole thing was difficult but would we regret it? Absolutely not,’ she told Truly in June.
‘We didn’t want to wait [until Kingsley was older], we wanted to do it then and there and he won’t remember.
‘It would be a lot more stressful when he’s older than when he’s a baby.
‘He was fine afterwards, he was happy.’
Mum Brooke Atkins and dad Kewene Wallace (pictured holding Kingsley during laser treatment) decided their son would undergo laser treatment after hearing about the possible effects of a port wine birthmark
Ms Atkins said she was Kingsley (above) was referred to the Queensland Children’s Hospital dermatology and vascular department shortly after birth
However, Ms Atkins received massive amounts of hate online for baby Kingsley’s laser treatments with many accusing her of only during the procedure for looks and branding her a ‘monster’.
Another commented: ‘That birthmark is barely visible, what you’re doing to him is horrible, it’s more for you than him.’
One person said: ‘Don’t think I could laser my baby.’
Another commented: ‘That birthmark is barely visible, what you’re doing to him is horrible, it’s more for you than him.’
‘Brainwashed mother making her kid insecure the second he gets out the womb,’ commented another user.
‘Why is everyone supporting this,’ commented someone else.
Other commenters were quick to offer their support.
‘Thank you for spreading awareness and sharing your story! All the love for your family!,’ one wrote.
‘I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision to make but he will thank you for it when he’s older and you did it out of love and wanting a better life for your son,’ another said.
‘Mothers know and do what is best for their children,’ a third person wrote.
Port wine birthmarks are usually considered harmless but if on the face they can be linked glaucoma and Sturge Weber Syndrome – Kingsley (pictured with Ms Atkins) suffers from both
Ms Atkins said one concern was Kingsley’s (above) birthmark could later darken, create bumps or cause vascular blebs – abnormal blood vessels that can be dangerous if they bleed
