When Brooke Atkins welcomed her son Kingsley into the world in 2022, she quickly realized that his arrival would come with unique challenges. The little boy was born with a large port-wine stain covering half of his face. While such birthmarks are often harmless,
Kingsley’s was linked to Sturge-Weber syndrome and glaucoma—serious conditions that could trigger seizures and even blindness.
The diagnosis meant that medical interventions were unavoidable from the very first months of his life.
At just six months old, Brooke and her partner, Kewene Wallace, made the difficult decision to begin laser treatments on the birthmark.
What they hoped would be a preventive step to protect their child’s health quickly became a target of online criticism.
Trolls accused Brooke of caring more about appearance than her son’s well-being, calling her a “monster.” Brooke responded by clarifying that the treatment was not cosmetic—it was essential, because PWS marks can thicken and darken over time, making them far more difficult to treat later.
Two years after starting treatment, Brooke shared encouraging updates on Kingsley’s progress. The once-dark mark had significantly faded, leaving only a faint blush of pink across his face. Despite these clear improvements,
Brooke admitted that in the early months she struggled with intense maternal guilt, questioning her choices in the face of harsh criticism. She expressed a hope that more people would understand the medical risks of PWS before passing judgment.
Kingsley’s challenges go far beyond the mark on his skin. Living with Sturge-Weber syndrome, he has already endured over 100 seizures in his short life and has undergone three eye surgeries to combat glaucoma.
These conditions have led to frequent hospitalizations and exhausting recovery periods, requiring extraordinary strength from both Kingsley and his family.
Through it all, Brooke has remained steadfast, publicly sharing their journey in the hope of raising awareness and educating others about PWS and Sturge-Weber syndrome. What once felt like the heavy weight of online negativity now fuels her strength,
bolstered by the support of other parents and her love for her son. Her openness and resilience stand as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and courage that define parenthood.
