Off The Record

Doctors Told Them Everything Was Fine, But When She Was Born They Were Shocked

Published on August 25, 2022

Little Brenna’s amazing life story serves as a reminder that parents love their kids more than they love themselves, and it allows them to overcome any challenges they might face.

Some parents will give up their kids just because they look different.

This inspirational story will elevate those parents who might face difficulty with their loved ones that everything can be achieved as long as we work together as a family.

When Evan and Courtney Westlake found out they were waiting for another baby they were enjoying their life with their son Connor.

The couple was more than happy when they found out that the family is growing even more.

Like every pregnant couple, they went to the first ultrasound together, and the physicians reassured that the everything is fine with the girl.

Little Connor was going to have a sister, and they found out about it just few months into the pregnancy.

They were getting prepared for all the stuff the family needs for another member in the family.

Dad Evan joked, “I’ll have to learn how to braid hair now.”

Courtney went into labor just a few weeks before New Year’s Eve, but when the baby girl was born the preparations to welcome her were changed entirely…

The little baby was born with thick, white scales on her body. She was immobile, suffering from a soaring temperature, and had sores all over her body. Brenna needed intensive care immediately, or else she wouldn’t make it.

For most newborns, their parents get to hold them almost immediately, but they had to wait for two weeks to hold her for the first time.

Poor baby Brenna was born with Harlequin ichthyosis, a dangerous inherited condition.

Harlequin ichthyosis is a severe genetic disorder that affects the skin. Infants with this condition are born prematurely with very hard, thick skin covering most of their bodies. The skin forms large, diamond-shaped plates that are separated by deep cracks (fissures).

The condition is incurable and sometimes fatal.

The family knew that there was a hard path ahead of them…

When they go out, people sometimes point, yell, or ask inappropriate questions, which lead Courtney to a minor depression.

But Courtney is mostly upset by the responses of other parents when they see her. They usually take their kids away and tell them to be quiet when they get close to her.

Instead of going away, Courtney stays on the playgrounds and wants parents and kids to approach Brenna and engage them in conversation.

Brenna is confident little queen and doesn’t let anything tear her down. She has all the support from her family, especially her older brother Connor.

“Why do parents want to avoid engaging with persons who have different looks? What causes their phobias? They might approach me and inquire about Brenna’s age,” Courtney explains.

Why can’t parents be straightforward and reply, “I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter how we appear,” when their child inquires why Brenna is so red and swollen? Each of us is different?”

Despite having difficulties raising their kid, they are proud that Brenna is a little fighter.

Dad Evan bathes his kid every night, which requires cautious and deliberate execution every time.

The man who used to make jokes about braiding his daughter’s hair, now gently rubs her to remove scaly skin.

Breanna has less hair due to the severe condition, but her father combs whatever she has with patience and love.

Breanna is like any other kid. She enjoys having a great time with her family, reading bedtimes stories and playing with her dad and big brother.

Even though life didn’t pan out as they planned, Brenna’s parents overcome every difficultly like true warriors in spirit.

On her blog Blessed by Brenna, Courtney now frequently discusses the life of her family. She has also authored a book called A Different Beautiful, which was released in August 2016.