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A mum defended her decision to do laser treatment on her son's birthmark.
Brooke Atkins, 33, hit back at trolls who branded her a monster for putting little Kingsley through the procedure.
The mum and her partner Kewene Wallace, 27, welcomed the adorable boy to the world in January last year.
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He was born with a large mark, known as a port wine stain, covering half of his face.
Although they're often harmless, the family were soon told their little boy actually had a rare illness.
Port wine stains covering the face have been linked to glaucoma and a rare disorder called Sturge Weber Syndrome.
It can also cause seizures and other disabilities, while glaucoma effects vision and could cause blindness.
Sadly for Brooke's little boy, he had both conditions.
It led the mum to make the tough decision on May 31 last year to use laser treatment on his skin.
She said: "The thing with port wine stains is that they are progressive, meaning they will change and darken over time.
"They can develop a 'cobblestone' appearance, with raised bumps, ridges and the risk of vascular blebs, where they dangerously bleed.
"Once a port wine stain gets to this stage, it is often very difficult to treat and laser barely has any effect, as the skin is already far too damaged."
When he was first born, the family were referred to the Queensland Children's Hospital dermatology and vascular department in Australia.
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The first treatment was organised where doctors explained why laser would be important for Kingsley.
Brooke said: "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."
Although the Pulsed Dye Laser is the most effective treatment, Brooke has since been trolled for her decision to put Kingsley through the procedure.
One said: "That birthmark is barely visible, what you're doing to him is horrible, it's more for you than him."
Another added: "Brainwashed mother making her kid insecure the second he gets out the womb."
While a third wrote: "Don’t think I could laser my baby."
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When Brooke received the messages, she cried to herself which then left her rethinking the decision.
Even though she knew she was doing the right thing, the cruel comments often play in her head.
She added: "Thankfully for every negative comment, there were 100 positive, so it helped a lot!
"I just wish 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, judgement from those who have no understanding around my son's conditions."
Brooke is constantly worrying about her son's future, but the little man continues to hit all his milestones.
She concluded: "This journey for our family has just started and there is a long road ahead but we will push through!
"Over 20 hospital appointments, two different hospitals, over ten different specialists and doctors, five different medical departments, three MRIs, one ultrasound, two hearing tests, two operations, two laser treatments and three diagnoses, all in six months – yet he is the happiest, most loving and sweetest boy you will ever meet."
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