Life is full of challenges—but it’s how we rise above them that truly defines us. For the Westlake family, that journey began with a little girl named Brenna. Her story is a powerful reminder of the strength of a parent’s love and the importance of seeing beauty beyond appearances.

Courtney and Evan Westlake were thrilled to learn they were expecting their second child. With their young son Connor already bringing so much joy into their lives, the couple looked forward to expanding their family. Every doctor’s visit brought reassurance: their baby was developing normally. Then came the exciting news—it was a girl. Plans and dreams quickly began to take shape.

But on the day before New Year’s Eve, their daughter Brenna arrived—and everything changed in an instant.

Born with thick white scales covering her body, Brenna wasn’t moving or crying. Her body was covered in sores, and she was burning up. Doctors immediately rushed her to the neonatal intensive care unit. It would be two long weeks before her parents could hold her for the first time.

Brenna was diagnosed with Harlequin ichthyosis, a rare and life-threatening genetic skin condition. The disease causes the skin to grow at 10 times the normal rate, leading to extreme dryness, redness, swelling, and thick, cracked skin that affects nearly every part of the body—including the eyes, ears, and mouth.

There is no cure. The condition is often fatal.

But Brenna was a fighter. And so were her parents.

The Westlakes knew their lives would never be the same. Daily routines now include intensive skin care, bathing, and moisturizing rituals that keep Brenna’s fragile skin safe. Evan, who once joked about learning to braid his daughter’s hair, now gently applies creams to her body each night. Although Brenna doesn’t grow much hair due to her condition, her dad still carefully combs the little she does have.

Despite everything, Brenna is like any other little girl—playful, full of love for her family, and especially close to her big brother Connor. She’s also confident and proud of who she is, thanks to a home filled with love and encouragement.

Unfortunately, not everyone sees Brenna that way.

In public, Courtney often sees other parents pull their children away or whisper when they see Brenna. Sometimes people stare. Sometimes they say hurtful things. What bothers Courtney the most isn’t the curiosity of children—it’s the discomfort of adults.

“Why do parents shy away from people who look different?” Courtney asks. “Why not just come up and say hello? When a child asks, ‘Why does she look like that?’—why not respond with, ‘I don’t know, but everyone is unique, and that’s what makes life beautiful’?”

Instead, many walk away. Some even leave the playground. And those are the moments that hurt the most.

But through it all, the Westlakes remain strong. Their love for Brenna is unwavering. They are proud of the life they’ve built together and the way they support each other through the hardest days.

Courtney now shares their journey through writing. In 2016, she published a book called A Different Beautiful, hoping to inspire others and shed light on what it means to love beyond appearances.

Brenna’s story is more than just a medical diagnosis. It’s about resilience, love, and the belief that everyone deserves to be seen, included, and valued—no matter how they look.

Let Brenna’s story be a reminder: the world needs more compassion and fewer assumptions. Let’s celebrate the courage of families like the Westlakes and teach our children that beauty isn’t about perfection—it’s about love.