Rebecca Callaghan faced a challenging pregnancy in 2012 when doctors decided to induce labor early due to excess fluid around her baby.
It wasn’t until about an hour after Matilda was born that any issues were suspected. Initially, a large blue mark on her face and extending down her body was mistaken for a bruise. However, just 30 minutes later, doctors informed Rebecca and her husband that it was, in fact, a birthmark.
Two weeks postpartum, Matilda was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare neurological condition associated with skin abnormalities that can lead to paralysis, learning difficulties, and seizures.
Matilda’s health quickly deteriorated, necessitating her transfer to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, England. The parents’ joy transformed into deep anxiety, as they feared they might lose their newborn. “We couldn’t travel with her because she was so sick. Watching her taken away, we were terrified we’d never see her again”, her father shared with the Daily Mail.
Adding to their worries, they discovered Matilda had two heart defects. Despite the grim prognosis, she displayed remarkable resilience, successfully undergoing surgery. She also began laser treatments to address her unusual birthmark, a process that could take up to 16 hours to fully fade.
“She receives treatments every two months. The laser leaves her skin red and covered in blisters, which eventually heal”, her father, Paul, explained in a 2016 interview. He recounted the misconceptions from others, stating: “People assume we’ve somehow harmed her”.
Although these treatments are painful, Matilda is a cheerful child. Sadly, many stare at her or make hurtful remarks, even asking if her parents had caused her birthmark by allowing her to burn herself. “They only see the surface and make judgments. I wish they could see beyond the mole to the beautiful person she is”, Paul lamented.
In addition to her birthmark, Matilda faces vision challenges and struggles to walk. Yet, with the help of specialized equipment, she has taken steps on her own.
Despite her struggles, Matilda remains upbeat and resilient. “She’s incredibly stubborn; she’ll do things her way or not at all!” her father noted, emphasizing that she always greets others with a smile. The family regularly confronts stares, insults, and teasing, but they remain proud of Matilda. “Despite everything, she’s thriving”, her father said.
Now nine years old, Matilda’s family recently shared an updated photo of her in her wheelchair in June 2019. They have set up a fundraising page to raise £5,000 for a new wheelchair, enabling Matilda to enjoy her favorite activity: spending time outdoors, away from crowds. “We want to help her continue doing what she loves”, the page states.
Angelina Jolie Stuns Alongside Her Daughter on the Red Carpet, and People Are All Noticing the Same Thing
Angelina Jolie looked flawless as she attended the Broadway opening night of her musical, The Outsiders. The 48-year-old actress was all smiles as she posed with her 15-year-old daughter, Vivienne, who had worked with her on the project.
Jolie looked stunning in a shiny gold dress paired with a rusty-colored cape while her teenage daughter rocked a cool blue jumpsuit.
The Oscar-winning actress who worked as executive producer on the project had once revealed that Vivienne had a passion for theatre, saying, ’’She’s very thoughtful and serious about theatre and working hard to best understand how to contribute.’’
The mother-daughter pair radiated joy as they attended the event with all eyes naturally drawn to Jolie, who looked absolutely stunning with her vibrant red lipstick and slightly lighter blonde hair than her usual style.
Online, fans showered the star with compliments, saying that her beauty makes her «stand out from the crowd» and naming her «one of the world’s hottest women.» One person even noted, ’’She does look gorgeous here, even better than years ago.’’
While almost everyone would agree that the Maleficent actress looks incredible, many people noticed that there was something different about her, leaving some questioning whether her ever-growing glow was due to recent beauty procedures.
One person stated, «Angelina looks different. Or am I crazy?» While another wrote, «Looks like Angie had a little facelift or some kind of plastic surgery.» A third person added, ’’Angelina looks strange.”
Another actress who has recently caught everyone’s attention on the red carpet is Dakota Johnson. Check out her fabulous daring look here, which certainly didn’t leave anyone indifferent.
Preview photo credit MM/ABACA/Abaca/East News, MM/ABACA/Abaca/East News
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