Life has a way of testing us—and some families face more than their fair share. But through every challenge, love has the power to carry us through. The story of little Brenna and her devoted parents, Courtney and Evan Westlake, is a moving reminder that the most powerful kind of love is unconditional.

While some people walk away from their children over how they look, the best kind of parents embrace their children fully—and fight for them, no matter the obstacles.

Stories like Brenna’s matter. They inspire us. They remind us that even in the face of overwhelming challenges, hope, support, and love can make all the difference.

Courtney and Evan were already proud parents to their son Connor when they found out they were expecting again. Overjoyed by the news, they couldn’t wait to expand their family. Each visit to the doctor brought good news, and the couple eagerly planned for life with a baby girl—Connor’s soon-to-be little sister.

Evan even joked: “I guess I’ll have to learn how to braid hair now!”

But when their daughter Brenna was born just before New Year’s Eve, the joy of her arrival quickly turned to fear and heartbreak.

Brenna entered the world covered in thick white scales, her body dangerously hot and raw with sores. She didn’t move. Doctors rushed her to the NICU—her chance of survival was uncertain.

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 severe genetic disorder that causes her skin to grow about ten times faster than normal. The condition affects her eyes, mouth, ears, and nose. Her skin appears red and swollen, and must be treated daily with baths and layers of moisturizing cream. There is no cure.

The diagnosis was devastating. Harlequin ichthyosis is not only painful and physically demanding, but also life-threatening. And it meant Brenna’s childhood—and her family’s life—would be anything but typical.

But the Westlakes refused to let fear define them. Instead, they met every day with strength, patience, and love.

Still, not everyone showed the same grace. Out in public, strangers often stared. Some asked invasive questions. Worse, other parents would pull their children away from Brenna, whispering or shushing their kids rather than encouraging compassion or curiosity.

Courtney says the judgment and silence are sometimes the hardest part.

“In a perfect world,” she said, “other parents would approach us. They’d say hello. Instead, they look away—or leave. That hurts the most.”

But despite the stares and the challenges, Brenna is a proud, confident little girl, and she knows she is loved. Her big brother Connor is her biggest fan, and her dad Evan—who once joked about braiding hair—now lovingly massages cream into his daughter’s skin every night after her bath.

It’s a delicate, daily ritual that keeps her comfortable and healthy.

Even on the hardest days, the Westlakes celebrate what they’ve overcome and the bond that holds them together. Their message is simple: Brenna can do anything she sets her mind to. And she deserves to be seen for who she is—not how she looks.

Courtney now shares their family’s journey through her writing and public speaking. Her memoir, A Different Beautiful, was published in 2016 and continues to inspire readers around the world. The book shares the emotional truth of raising a child with a visible difference—and offers a powerful lesson in empathy and acceptance.

Let Brenna’s story remind us all: we are more than appearances. Every child deserves to be embraced, celebrated, and loved just as they are.

Brenna is beautiful. Let’s help share her story—and open hearts in the process.