Mother and Son Work to Educate People About Birthmarks

Karen Murphy — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 14:03:00 GMT

After Evan Ducker was born, his mom Donna began keeping him at home because people were freaking out left and right about the port-wine stain on his face, shrieking faux pas like "What's wrong with his face!!" (some people are sooo tactful). Apparently the vascular birthmark Evan was born with was something of a curiosity despite the fact that about one in 1,000 babies are born with one. Donna later strove to find books to show Evan he wasn't alone and that there was nothing wrong with him (despite probably obvious and visceral reactions from other people upon meeting him for the first time), but finding none, they decided to write their own, and the book "Buddy Booby's Birthmark" was born (a portion of the book's proceeds goes to the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation).

Now Evan is twelve and he uses the book to help educate other children about birthmarks like his. He also travels regularly to receive painful laser treatments to lighten his birthmark, a procedure that unfortunately may not have lasting effects since they treat the effect and not the cause of it. Still, Evan's doctor thinks he should continue the treatment since in children these vascular birthmarks continue to grow and change somewhat, and in Evan's case it could end up affecting his vision.

Sometimes it seems like there are so many different things to worry about when it comes to the health of our children. (Thanks, media!) But at least one family is trying to make a difference to others in a similar situation while at the same time dealing with the hand dealt them.

Strollerderby : vascular birthmarks

Mother and Son Work to Educate People About Birthmarks