Angelica’s story is a moving testament to the unconditional love and fierce protection a mother has for her child. Born on May 6, 2018, with a distinct heart-shaped port wine stain on her face, Angelica captivated those around her with her unique beauty and spirited personality.
Despite facing cruel and thoughtless comments about her appearance, Angelica’s family, led by her mother Marianna Bowering, has stood strong against negativity, choosing to celebrate Angelica’s natural beauty.
Marianna’s creative approach to raising awareness and fostering acceptance for vascular birthmarks has been both empowering and inspirational. By painting a replica of Angelica’s birthmark on her own face, she not only showed solidarity with her daughter but also challenged societal norms about beauty.
This bold move was inspired by Vascular Birthmark Awareness Day, which encourages people to show support by painting hearts on their cheeks. Marianna, however, took it a step further to honor her daughter’s unique mark.
This act of love and advocacy highlights the importance of teaching children to embrace their differences and recognize their intrinsic worth. Angelica, with the full support of her family, is growing up knowing that she is beautiful just as she is, without needing to cover up or change her appearance.
The family’s journey has not been without its challenges. Concerns about potential health issues linked to port wine stains, such as glaucoma, mean that Angelica requires regular medical check-ups to ensure her continued health. Thankfully, she has been healthy, and her check-ups are just precautionary measures to keep it that way.
Angelica’s story is a powerful reminder of the beauty in diversity and the strength of a family’s love. It’s a call to all of us to look beyond conventional beauty standards and celebrate the unique traits that make each person special.
Marianna’s message to her daughter, and to the world, resonates deeply: “Angelica, you’re absolutely beautiful. Don’t let anyone ever tell you anything different.”