Enzo Castari, a one-year-old from Cáceres, Brazil, was born with a prominent birthmark that covers much of his forehead and extends down one side of his nose. His mother, Carolina Giraldelli, 26, made a heartfelt promise that her son would never be defined by the mark, ensuring he grows up feeling perfect in his own skin.
“It was a challenging time for both of us,” Carolina revealed. “We faced judgmental stares and whispers—pity, contempt, fear, even disgust. But my husband and I chose to act as if everything was normal, to show Enzo that he is normal despite the mark. We want him to be strong, to believe in himself, and to know he’s loved just the way he is.”
Carolina and her husband worked hard to combat the prejudice Enzo faced. “When people react with discomfort, curiosity, or fear, we explain that Enzo is a normal boy, capable of playing, making friends, and experiencing love just like any other child.”
For a special occasion, Carolina asked a makeup artist friend to paint a birthmark on her face, mirroring Enzo’s. “I was surprised and touched,” she said. “I felt like the most beautiful woman in the world.” Enzo’s reaction was pure joy, even though he couldn’t fully grasp the significance.
Carolina even went to work with the makeup on. “People looked at me differently,” she said, “but I felt like the proudest mother in the world.”
Enzo’s birth had been difficult, with the umbilical cord wrapped twice around his neck. At first, Carolina thought the birthmark was dirt, but when she realized it was permanent, she cried—not out of sadness but relief that her son was healthy. In that moment, she knew she had to be strong, courageous, and brave to help him face the world.
When Carolina shared a photo of herself with the painted birthmark on social media, she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. “The words of comfort, encouragement, and love for my son have been countless,” she said. “I believe many mothers will resonate with
+my feelings when they see these pictures.”