The importance of doctors in our society cannot be emphasized. Many of us take their role to preserving lives for granted. However, not every doctor lives up to their altruistic, caring mission. Dr. Thomas Collins had grown frigid after many years of working in the medical industry. He no longer cared about his patients, and he was known to turn them away. He had no clue, however, that declining to assist one young woman would utterly turn his life and career upside down.
The Shocking Truth Behind A Doctor’s Refusal To Help A Pregnant Patient
Please welcome Thomas Collins
Thomas Collins was born to Sarah and Archie Collins in Boise, Idaho. Zachary, his younger brother, was born only two years later. The Collins lived in Boise and had a prosperous existence, but their family dynamic was problematic. The boys’ father was not the most affectionate of fathers, and they learnt early on that they could not go to him for emotional support. At initially, this drew the two brothers together to work through life’s hardships.
Please welcome Thomas Collins
Close Bond
Thomas and Zachary watched after each other at the start of their lives. They enjoyed themselves after school by playing together. They had a deep bond, which helped them deal with the pressures from their father. Archie always expected the best from his sons. He would use one boy’s accomplishment to make the other feel awful about himself, and the sons became preoccupied with making their father proud, no matter how tough it looked. This would only intensify as they became older.
Close Bond
Teenage Years
When the boys entered high school, they began assisting their father at his store. Archie had founded a successful grocery shop chain in Boise. He continued to work at the main store, expecting his children to work with him and eventually take over the firm. Thomas began working behind the counter and in the warehouse at the age of 14 and learned valuable skills. He began to despise the store, however. This was not what Thomas had in mind. He wasn’t sure what his calling was, but he knew it wasn’t to own a grocery store chain. Then, when he was 16, he realized what he wanted to do.
Teenage Years
Medical Concerns
Thomas was home one day, on one of the rare afternoons when he didn’t have a shift at the shop, when he heard a crash in the kitchen. He dashed down the stairs and discovered his mother motionless on the ground. He dashed over to her, yelling at her to get up. He then dialed 911 and waited for an ambulance to transport her to the hospital. Nobody else was home that day, so Thomas sat next to his mother, stroking her hair, wondering what would happen next. When the paramedics arrived and urged him to get in the back as they drove to the hospital, he scarcely registered.
Medical Concerns
What Was Wrong?
Throughout the next two days, while his father walked in the hallway and Zachary sobbed in the corner, Thomas remained alert and inquisitive, asking every doctor and nurse who came in to explain what they were doing and what it meant. They were in the hospital for three days as physicians performed tests and operations to determine what had happened to Sarah Collins. She was asleep for the whole of her stay, although her heart monitor remained stable until the third day.
What Was Wrong
Losing a Parent
At 4 p.m., the heart monitor next to Sarah’s hospital bed began to make a noise. “She’s flatlining,” shouted one doctor. Zachary and Thomas clung to one other as they watched doctors and nurses attempt to resuscitate their mother. After 30 minutes of trying, they withdrew with gloomy faces and expressed their sympathies to the family. Archie stormed out of the room, leaving Zachary sobbing and clutching his older brother. Thomas felt a numbness spread throughout his body, and he knew this would change his life forever. He had no idea how correct he would be.
Losing A Parent
Studying Hard
Thomas suddenly realized what was going on. To him, going to the grocery shop was always worthless and meaningless. He started working harder in school, concentrating on his scientific studies and investigating suitable institutions. From the moment his mother died, he knew he wanted to go to medical school and become a doctor. He would not stand by and watch people suffer. He applied to the greatest schools in the country during his senior year of high school. When he finally heard back from his top option, he ran to tell his father and brother. Their reactions, however, were not what Thomas had expected.
Studying Hard
Off to School
The school was located out of state. Thomas wasn’t naive; he knew this wouldn’t be good news for his father. But he didn’t expect him to yell. His father warned him that he would not support this, neither financially nor emotionally. Thomas was unconcerned. He needed to leave and pursue his dream. Their relationship became more difficult than ever until Thomas packed his belongings and moved to Boston, on the opposite side of the country. Zachary was heartbroken to see his brother leave, but he understood. They exchanged goodbye hugs before Thomas went.
Off To School
Radio Silence
Thomas devoted himself to his studies for four years. He expected his father to calm down eventually, but he never heard from him, so he never returned for vacations or breaks—not that he could afford it, because he was paying for college alone. What surprised him the most was that he had not heard from his younger brother. Why had Zachary not returned his calls? Thomas had no choice but to carry on with his life as if nothing had happened. He was soon off to medical school, without a word from his father or sibling.
Radio Silence
Unexpected Meeting
Thomas went out with some of his classmates a few months into his second year of medical school to unwind after a particularly grueling exam. When he arrived, he was seated next to a stunning woman named Madeline. They talked the entire evening, and Thomas requested for her phone number at the conclusion. When he asked the same woman to marry him a year later, he felt like everything was finally going right in his life. Perhaps this was the ideal opportunity to reconnect with his family. Thomas dialed the number and hoped for the best.
Unexpected Meeting
Harsh Reality
Thomas held his breath as his father answered the phone. He hadn’t anticipated hearing his father’s voice. “This is me, Dad. “I’m getting married soon, and I’d love for you and Zach to be there,” he remarked excitedly. On the other end, there was stillness. Then his father said something that broke his heart. “I apologize, but I only have one son.” Stop phoning us since you’ve already destroyed our hearts.” The line then clicked. He couldn’t believe what he’d just heard, and the same numbness he’d felt with his mother began to return. Thomas convinced himself that he now had no family and refocused on his love and his education.
Harsh Reality
Wedding Bells
Thomas and Madeline married two years later, after he graduated from medical school and before beginning his residency. Although school had been difficult, Thomas used his graduation and wedding to help him move on. Madeline’s family and all of their friends were present for their little ceremony. Everyone was aware of his familial circumstances, and they worked hard to fill in the blanks for Thomas. The newlyweds kissed, overjoyed that they had finally taken this great step together. Even though their wedding was perfect, their joy did not last long.
Wedding Bells
Working Efficiently
Thomas started his residency almost quickly, which required insane long shifts and an erratic schedule. He didn’t get to see Madeline as often as either of them would have liked, but she was gracious and forgiving, knowing how hard Thomas had worked to be here. Thomas started making enough money to pay off his student loans and provide for himself and his wife. But his hectic schedule prevented him from spotting something crucial.
Working Efficiently
Hiding It
What Thomas didn’t realize was that Madeline was deteriorating while he was at work in the hospital. She had no idea what had caused her exhaustion and migraines, but it was all too much for her. Despite his best efforts, Thomas had failed to detect Madeline’s deteriorating condition. Then one day, he heard a crash in the other room and jumped out of his seat. He hoped and prayed that it wasn’t what he thought it was, but he’d soon find out how cruel life can be.
Hiding It
Another Goodbye
He could tell there was little he could do as he cried in the ambulance, gripping his wife’s hand and asking with her to stay alive. He waited in the hospital, exactly like he did when he was 16 years old, and barely heard the dreadful word that his wife had unfortunately departed. He sat there for a few hours, barely moving, barely thinking. This was the final straw, and Thomas’ pleasant demeanor altered drastically that day.
Another Goodbye
Too Focused
Thomas immersed himself even more into his career after his wife’s unexpected death. He picked up other people’s shifts and worked many double shifts in a succession. People started to worry about the young doctor, but he was so brilliant at his work that they couldn’t say much. Thomas scarcely registered any negative emotions when he learned of his father’s death because he had previously lamented his father’s loss for years. He didn’t even think to phone his brother, who had been very clear about the type of connection he desired with Thomas. Instead, Thomas became a shell of himself, and his work began to reflect this.
Too Focused
Keeping People Away
Following his residency, Thomas worked uninterrupted for 15 years at the same hospital. That many years in the same place builds up a reputation, and Thomas was no exception. Dr. Collins did an excellent job if he agreed to take your case. As a veteran doctor, Thomas Collins believed he had the authority to do whatever he wanted and turn people down. When a young woman arrived into the hospital one day, Thomas addressed her in the same manner.
Keeping People Away
Young Woman
With tears running down her cheeks, the receptionist looked up at the woman. Her hands were on her stomach, and she appeared terrified. The receptionist gently advised her to wait and that she would contact a nurse. The young lady nodded before quietly passing an envelope across the desk to the receptionist, who grabbed it with suspicion. She was led to a room and asked to wait. When Dr. Collins entered the room, the tears began to flow again as she rambled on about her pregnancy and the need for assistance. Thomas raised his hand to stop her. She gazed at him, not knowing what he was going to say next.
Young Woman
No Time for Her
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but the nurse informed me that there is no insurance attached, and you refuse to provide us with additional payment information.” “There’s nothing I can do for you right now,” Thomas stated firmly. He then turned around and went out of the room, not looking back at the woman. She started sobbing, gathered her belongings, and walked back the way she came. The receptionist hated the doctor as she watched her leave. She went to find him, ready to tell him what was on her mind, but he merely said he didn’t want to hear it. He had no idea that this would not be the last time he saw her.
No Time For Her
Few Weeks Later
Dr. Collins was sitting at his desk a few weeks later. It was one of those rare shifts when the hospital was completely silent. Nobody required assistance, and the nurses were able to fulfill the overnight responsibilities. He decided to browse over some files and review some of the patients he had seen in the previous few weeks. He came to a halt when he came upon a file with the name Sarah Collins. The name reminded him of his mother, whom he hadn’t thought about in a long time. That wasn’t the only odd thing about the file.
Few Weeks Later
Opening the Envelope
A single piece of paper and an envelope were contained within the file. He looked over the contents and understood the file contained information about the young woman he had fired a few weeks before. She was 19 years old and seven months pregnant, according to the document. She had significant anemia and didn’t appear to be getting enough nourishment to support herself and the baby inside her. While the name piqued his interest, the contents of the envelope were even more unexpected.
Opening The Envelope
The Note
He unfolded the folded paper to reveal a handwritten note that said, “My name is Sarah Collins, and I am pregnant.” I can’t afford to pay on my own right now, but I believe I require immediate assistance.” The letter went on to explain how the father of the child she was carrying was not present and she was alone on the east coast. Her father was unaware, and he was still in Idaho, but he would be able to pay once she informed him. Thomas’ eyes scanned the page swiftly, but his breath caught in his throat as he read the last paragraph.
The Note
Hoping for the Best
Was Sarah Collins’ father from Idaho? That had to be a coincidence, Thomas reasoned, yet something nudges him to investigate. He lowered his gaze to the contact information, took out his phone, and dialed a number. His heart fell when he heard a little voice on the other end. “Good day, Sarah. Dr. Thomas Collins here. “I was wondering if you still needed medical attention,” he said calmly. She sniffled and stated she couldn’t find a hospital that would admit her. He then instructed her to arrive as quickly as possible. All he could do now was wait.
Hoping For The Best
Coming Back In
Sarah was back in the hospital room two hours later, and Thomas was called in to check on his new patient. When he stepped in, he noticed she was paler than the previous time he saw her, and her stomach had grown larger. She needed assistance right away. He did tests and made small chat while checking her vitals. Sarah only had approximately a month left of her pregnancy, but she required a lot of vitamins and nutrients. Thomas took some notes and called a nurse to inform her of the situation. He promised himself that he would wait until she was feeling better before asking her what he truly wanted to know.
Coming Back In
Making Progress
Thomas suggested Sarah stay in the hospital for a few days while hooked up to an IV to restore her nutrients. Color had returned to her cheeks by the end of the third day, and she appeared stronger. Thomas came back in to see if her condition had improved. When he realized everything had happened, he proceeded to quiz her about her circumstances. “Would this father you mentioned in your note be willing to come here and help you through this?” “I believe you’ll be able to get through your last month of pregnancy more easily,” he remarked. Her response, however, astounded him.
Making Progress
Unexpected Visitor
“I eventually summoned the fortitude to call him and confront him with the truth. “He’s on his way to see me right now,” the teen claimed. Thomas took a deep breath. “Great. “If you agree to me sharing your information with him, I’ll be happy to meet with him and update him on your progress,” Thomas stated to her. He departed again after she agreed. Thomas was worried, but he attempted to keep his expectations in check. Collins was, after all, a popular name—there had to be a lot of Collins in Idaho. But when he entered Sarah’s room later that day, he couldn’t believe who was there with her.
Unexpected Visitor
Long, Lost Brothers
“Oh, excuse me—” Thomas began to speak but abruptly stopped as he stared his younger brother, Zachary, in the eyes. He’d aged considerably—after all, it had been over three decades since he’d seen him last. Zachary stared at the doctor, perplexed as to how he could be seeing his long-lost brother in his daughter’s hospital bedside. “Thomas? “What’s going on?” he wondered. Sarah observed the discussion with interest and inquired, “Do you two know each other?”
Long, Lost Brothers
Couldn’t Believe It
“This is my brother,” Zachary said to his daughter, not moving his gaze away from Thomas. The men stared for a little longer until Thomas shook himself out of his stupor and began to inform Zachary about his daughter’s hospitalization. Zachary rose up and asked Thomas to talk in the hallway after they reviewed the next steps and her ability to go home. “Can you tell me what happened to you?” You left for college and never returned. “There was no phone call or anything,” Zachary said to his brother. Thomas was taken aback.
Couldn’t Believe It
Finding the Truth
After years of feeling isolated by his father and brother, Zachary was telling him it was his fault they’d fallen out. “Dad said you didn’t want to hear from me again.” You did not attend my wedding. “I expected to hear from you after he died, but I never did,” Thomas replied. Zachary turned away from his sibling. Then he explained how their father had persuaded him. Thomas had abandoned them and had no desire to see his younger brother again. He had to have buried all of the invitations, emails, and other evidence that Thomas wished to communicate with him. With tears in their eyes, the brothers stared at each other. They couldn’t believe what they were hearing.
Finding the Truth
Warm Embrace
The brothers understood it was their father who had caused the schism and had stolen their intimate link for so long. They had a lot to talk about, but they needed to go back to Zachary’s kid. Thomas agreed to release her and assured her he would see her in a month when the baby was due. The next day, he and his brother agreed to meet for lunch to catch up and go over everything they had missed. Thomas stopped before saying farewell, then embraced his brother tightly. His family had returned.
Warm Embrace
Looking to the Future
Life operates in strange ways. When a young girl arrived at the hospital unable to pay her medical fees, Thomas Collins was prepared to turn her away. He had no idea she would be the key to unlocking the years of unresolved family drama that had haunted him. We’re so delighted Sarah received the care she required and that Thomas was reunited with his brother after so many years. We wish the Collins family love and success as they prepare to welcome a new family member.
Looking To The Future
Experience Life As A Parent
Having a baby is one of the most joyous periods in the life of a family. However, no matter how well you plan, things rarely happen as planned. As parents, you must be willing to adapt to new conditions and learn as you go. The Coopers were pleased to be expecting their third child. As experienced parents, they believed they were prepared to deal with anything that came their way. They had no idea that a chance event would turn their entire lives upside down.
Experience Life As A Parent
Meet the Coopers
Brianna and Richard Cooper lived in Kansas City, Missouri, in their early thirties. They had two children together, Thomas, three, and Lira, one. When the parents found out they were having a third child, they were overjoyed. As the due date approached, Brianna and Richard enjoyed going for walks in the park and talking about their aspirations and dreams. They had no idea that one walk would have such far-reaching implications.
Meet The Coopers
Evening Stroll
Brianna was seven and a half months pregnant when the couple went for a walk, leaving the kids with Richard’s mother. They were discussing names for their upcoming baby with zeal. They already knew the baby would be a male. They were so engrossed in their chat that they didn’t notice the sky darkening and scary storm clouds coming in. The trees began to groan ominously, but the couple was lost in their own world.
Evening Stroll
The Storm Hits
The sky suddenly opened up, rain began to fall, and a massive roll of thunder rang out. It was immediately followed by blinding lightning strikes. Brianna and Richard exchanged worried glances and began to dash for cover. Brianna was slow with her enormous bulge, and it wasn’t long until Richard let go of her hand. She yelled, but a great flare of light illuminated the park. Brianna was on the ground the next thing she knew.
The Storm Hits
Richard’s Reaction
Richard dashed back to where his wife lay as soon as he knew what had happened. He shook her and gripped her shoulders, but her head flopped lifelessly. She was out of it. She was hot and stiff, and she had burns all over her body. Richard dialed 911, mumbling their address and yelling at the operator to hurry up. He patted his wife’s head while tears and rain poured down his face. “Come on, baby, don’t leave me,” he pleaded with his wife.
Richard’s Reaction
Emergency Treatment
The ambulance arrived, and they drove through the storm at high speed, the siren shrieking. Brianna was treated for her burns and given testing to ensure her heart and brain health had not been harmed by the lightning hit when they arrived at the ER. Richard paced up and down outside the hospital, frantic for information on his wife’s condition, but the nurses appeared to be too preoccupied to speak with him. He was scared. He knew it was all his fault—he should never have let go of her hand in the first place. Was she going to be alright?
Emergency Treatment
Doctor’s Assessment
Finally, a doctor arrived to inform Richard on his wife’s condition. “She’s stable, but she’s unconscious.” It’s possible that her body is simply resting. “There is currently no cause for concern,” the doctor stated. Richard couldn’t help but be concerned. Why was she still unresponsive? Was she unconscious? The doctor tried to soothe him, but he needed to prove Brianna had been struck by lightning. Nobody knew what to expect because it was such an unusual occurrence. Richard worried if his dear wife would ever wake up.
Doctor’s Assessment
Seeing Brianna
“Can I see her, doctor?” Richard pleaded. Although the doctor agreed, he warned Richard that she might not respond. He dashed into the ward and instantly noticed Brianna laying motionless, her face colorless. Her burns were bandaged, and she was connected to various beeping machines. Richard took her hand in his. “I apologize, my love. “Please be fine,” he said. He tightened his grip on her fingers when he felt something.
Seeing Brianna
Waking Up
Brianna twitched her fingers. Her eyelids started to flutter. “Are you my love?” “Can you hear me, darling?” he said. Richard’s pulse was racing. Perhaps she would be well after all. Her hand was squeezed back after what seemed like an eternity, and she gazed up at him. Her eyes were a blur, and he wondered if she could see him at all. Perhaps it was only a reflex, and she was still unconscious, but he squeezed her hand and hoped. He has no idea what is about to happen to him.
Waking Up
Brianna’s Initial Thought
“Bri…Brianna, honey?” Richard said quietly. “I’ve arrived.” Finally, Brianna responded. “Richie,” she quietly answered. Richard was overtaken with emotion and summoned the doctor to check on his wife. Aside from the burns, she appeared to be in good health. The doctor began to check Brianna, but she only had one concern, and it wasn’t for herself. She was terrified, clutching her big tummy. “How is the baby?” she worriedly inquired.
Brianna’s Initial Thought
Fear Takes Control
Brianna was perplexed. She had no idea how she’d wound up at the hospital, and as the doctor and Richard tried to explain what had happened, she couldn’t focus. She couldn’t stop thinking about her unborn kid, scared that he had been harmed. She started to hyperventilate. “I can’t take a breath. My child, my child. “Is my baby all right?” she yelled. The machines began to beep incessantly, and before anybody could help Brianna calm down, she went into labor at the age of seven and a half months.
Fear Takes Control
They Weren’t Ready
When Brianna’s water broke in the emergency room, the doctors acted quickly. They needed to get her ready for birth as soon as possible. Richard hurried outside to phone their relatives and inform them of the situation, then jogged down to the maternity ward on the floor below. Brianna had already arrived, screaming in agony and struggling to breathe. Her scars were burned, and each contraction was more agonizing than the last. This wasn’t meant to happen; they were supposed to have another month and a half to prepare, but now everything was occurring at once.
They Weren’t Ready
Delivery Time
Brianna was so physically tired from the accident that it was evident that natural birth was out of the question. The only option was an emergency C-section with epidural. The physicians were determined to get the baby delivered promptly and securely. The small infant was placed on Brianna’s chest after a traumatic delivery. She was struck with relief that he was no longer in her womb. But no one could deny that the infant was odd. Was there a problem with him?
Delivery Time
Meet Bobby
Before being brought to the neonatal intensive care unit, Richard and Brianna had a few minutes to touch and kiss their new baby. They chose the name Bobby for him. They were both perplexed by his unusual appearance and concerned about his condition. The physicians reassured them that it was merely a precaution due to the stressful circumstances of the birth, but Bobby appeared so little and defenseless in his incubator. Richard went to look after Thomas and Lira, leaving Brianna by her new son’s side.
Meet Bobby
Unique Baby
Bobby and Brianna began to mend as the days passed. They were returned to the maternity ward. Brianna noticed there that people weren’t embarrassed to express their surprise at her son’s odd appearance. The baby had a tuft of white hair in the center of his head, as well as a huge white mark on his forehead. It stood out against his dark skin. The other mothers stared openly at Bobby and repeatedly asked Brianna what was wrong with him.
Unique Baby
Rumors Spread
It wasn’t long before rumors began to circulate. People discovered what had happened to Brianna on the day she gave birth. They were persuaded that Bobby had a congenital defect caused by the lightning hit. Could the infant have been struck by lightning while still in the womb? Brianna was heartbroken. She couldn’t take hearing people gossip about her and her kid, and some of the statements she overheard shocked her. People seemed to believe Bobby’s white markings were a sign of evil or a divine punishment. How could they be so nasty to a helpless baby? Would they attempt to harm him?
Rumors Spread
Precautions for Safety
The doctor was aware of the slanderous accusations and advised Brianna to consider hiring a bodyguard to protect herself and the baby. Brianna was taken aback. It certainly wouldn’t be necessary. Richard was assigned to watch after them both. Richard was enraged by Brianna and Bobby’s treatment and relieved to have both of them out of the gossipy maternity unit and back home. Neither parent anticipated that their son’s reactions would become far more intense.
Precautions for Safety
Resisting the Fear
Brianna sought to live a regular life once she had been out of the hospital for a few weeks and had recovered from her injuries. Bobby was doing well, and she didn’t want to keep him hidden away. She and Bobby went for a walk one day when the older children were in nursery and Richard was at work. She walked out confidently, attempting to collect all of her might. But the sensitive mother soon became aware of the stares and whispers all over again. In the street, one woman stopped her. “You should be ashamed of yourself,” she exclaimed. Brianna couldn’t handle it any longer. She needed to take action.
Resisting The Fear
Looking for Support
Brianna decided to build a Facebook page to tell her story in order to find support. She couldn’t let the bullies get her down, and she knew that telling the world how much she adored her gorgeous boy, white mark and all, would make her feel better. It appeared to be the correct thing to do at first. She received dozens of messages and comments from other mothers who had faced similar challenges, offering guidance, hope, and encouragement. Brianna had been looking for a supportive community, and she had found one.
Looking For Support
Real Life Backlash
Regardless of the good remarks Brianna received online, her real-life experience was quite different. Some of her neighbors were so brazen that they took images of Bobby without her consent. They, like the women in the maternity unit, believed Bobby possessed sinister abilities. He was even dubbed the “black Harry Potter” by some, and the local gossip daily printed an article about him. Brianna was enraged. She had no idea how bad things were about to get.
Real Life Backlash
Fighting Back
Brianna continued to fight. She utilized her Facebook profile to make it clear that she adored her child and didn’t care what others thought of him or her family. He was ideal in her eyes, and she adored him. That was the end of it. “If you don’t leave us alone, I’ll use my baby’s superpowers on you, wink, wink.” “All we want is to live a normal life,” she added, with a photo of Bobby giggling. She reasoned that it would aid in the shutdown. However, she wouldn’t be proved wrong for long.
Fighting Back
Going Viral
The response was incredible, and Brianna’s post was quickly shared over 100,000 times. People from all across the world sent Sarah words of support, sharing their own tales and complimenting her and Bobby. Strangers on the internet, on the other hand, aren’t always helpful. Brianna was bombarded with hostile notes in addition to the positive ones. She was aware that it came with the territory of viral posts and tried not to be concerned. But it appeared that she had enraged a specific number of people, and she couldn’t help but worry that they would cause more trouble in the future.
Going Viral
Becoming Obsessed
Brianna was becoming preoccupied with social media. She’d play with the kids in the afternoons, but once they were in bed, she couldn’t stop scrolling through her phone, reading comments and reacting to trolls. Richard was becoming concerned about her. He advised her to remain online and disregard the abusive messages. She made it through a week with her head clearer than it had been in months. But the cleanse couldn’t endure forever. The proud mother felt she couldn’t just sit back and let these people spread lies about her lovely child. She had no choice but to fight back.
Becoming Obsessed
Logging In
Brianna took her phone to the restroom once the week was up and signed into her Facebook account. It buzzed incessantly, and she turned off the water so Richard wouldn’t see what she was doing. She spotted a lot from a woman who looked familiar among the thousands of messages. Brianna wasn’t sure, but she thought she recognized her. The woman was sending love and well wishes to the entire family and sent a link encouraging her to join a community. Brianna hesitantly clicked on the link since she had learned to distrust the individuals she encountered online. She had no idea what she was in for.
Logging In
Meet Lucy
Brianna followed the link to the website of a religious organization. Lucy was the group’s president, and she was a recognizable face. Brianna noticed her picture on the side of a nearby church. Lucy had beautiful blonde hair, a wide smile, and crystal blue eyes. The website was filled with prayers, affirmations, and advice for parents of all faiths. Brianna was immediately taken with what she saw. It appeared to be quite inclusive, and she agreed with many of the parenting advice. She responded with a lengthy note of gratitude to Lucy, and the two began to converse. What happened next was completely unexpected.
Meet Lucy
Constant Messages
Lucy was soon messaging Brianna every day. Other members of the organization also reached out to her, complimenting and blessing her for her courage and fortitude. Brianna found herself unable to keep up with the volume of texts she was receiving. She didn’t have time to respond or even “like” all of the comments since she was trying to prioritize her family, as Lucy had advised her to do.
Constant Messages
Logging Off
Brianna thought it was time to cleanse again. She needed to get away from the continual barrage of communications and spend time with her beautiful children. Richard vowed to help her, and she deleted all of her social media accounts. A weight was lifted from her shoulders. Little did the relieved mother realize that her actions had enraged one of her new internet friends. Furthermore, it wouldn’t be long before that “friend” expressed her displeasure to Brianna.
Logging Off
Feeling Conflicted
Brianna felt great for the most part. She didn’t have to check her phone all the time, and she felt much more present when she was with her family. Staying off social media was undeniably beneficial for everyone. Still, a small part of her wondered what people were saying behind her back about her. She knew there were many people who backed her up, but there were also those who enjoyed tearing her down, and she dreaded thinking about what they were saying when she wasn’t there to reply. The thought gnawed at her until she couldn’t take it any longer.
Feeling Conflicted
Brianna’s Secret
Brianna found herself hiding from Richard once more in order to log in and see what was going on. She couldn’t describe it; she simply knew there was something going on online that she needed to see. As message after message arrived in her inbox, she realized she was correct. Something wasn’t right. She’d never received so many hateful notes before, and she couldn’t believe it when she realized who was behind the majority of them.
Brianna’s Secret
Surprising Turn of Events
Almost every message came from Lucy and her group. They were loaded with threats, abuse, and horrible remarks about Brianna and, in particular, Bobby. Brianna began to shake. She couldn’t comprehend how these folks who had been so nice and helpful had turned so mean. Lucy appeared to have begun hounding Brianna after she’d opted to go offline, and when the religion leader didn’t receive a response, she summoned the rest of her members to join the onslaught. The mother of three was terrified. Did the organization have any idea where they lived?
Surprising Turn of Events
Threats
The messages that threatened the entire Cooper family if they didn’t do what Lucy requested were the worst. And Lucy’s demands were so horrifying that Brianna’s blood ran cold. Bobby was to be exorcised by the organization. They concluded that the infant was possessed by the devil as a result of the lightning strike and his white marks, and that the only way to free him from dark influences was to bring him to the church and drive the evil spirits out. Lucy warned that if the Coopers refused, they would pay the price.
Threats
Reporting Them
The protective mother leapt into action. She couldn’t believe these folks could be so wicked. Bobby was merely an innocent baby born in extraordinary circumstances, yet a large number of people believed he was evil. Brianna printed out pages and pages of hate messages and delivered them to the police. She filed a harassment complaint against Lucy and her organization. She realized now that they had planned to demand the exorcism all along, which was why they had contacted her in the first place. Brianna felt disgusted that she had fallen for their ruse. She needed to find a way to recover.
Reporting Them
Finding Peace
Brianna was deeply rattled by her encounter with Lucy, and it took her several weeks to recover. With Richard’s help, she gradually put the entire incident behind her and began to focus on the future. Her lovely infant son, as well as her other children, were all healthy and content. That was the only thing that mattered. She began to leave the house with her son, her head held high. Who cared what other people thought of his physical appearance? She knew he was the one. People in the Cooper family’s neighborhood gradually began to accept the youngster with the white mark on his forehead as he was.
Finding Peace
Lucy’s Downfall
Brianna received an update from the local police a few weeks later. The inquiry against Lucy and her company turned out to have uncovered a slew of criminal conduct, ranging from intimidation to embezzlement and beyond. Brianna was glad to learn that the organization was being investigated and that they would no longer be bothering her family. She hoped they received what they deserved after causing so much sorrow to her family.
Lucy’s Downfall
Bobby Thrives
Bobby began to thrive after a traumatic birth and a difficult first several months. He had gained all of his weight and met all of the developmental milestones of other newborns his age. His adorable white tuft of hair and brilliant forehead became his most recognizable traits. Brianna was overtaken with joy the day an older lady stopped them on the street to gush over Bobby and said he must have been kissed by an angel. Everything was going to be alright. She had no idea what was about to happen to her.
Bobby Thrives
Scouted
A chic-looking woman approached Brianna when she was playing in the park with Bobby one day. She said that she worked as a child model scout, and that they were looking for children with distinctive appearances. Bobby was flawless. Brianna paused, concerned that it might draw even more unwanted attention to her family. But then she remembered all the mothers who were yearning to have their children’s differences represented, and she consented. Bobby planned to become a model.
Scouted
Bobby’s Career
Bobby jumped right into modeling like a duck to water. He enjoyed posing in front of the camera and laughed and smiled the entire time. With his huge smile and dimples, he became the face of several children’s companies and won hearts all over the country. People suffering from other skin diseases, such as Vitiligo, were overjoyed to see someone with skin differences in important advertising campaigns, and Bobby became a symbol of variety and acceptance.
Bobby’s Career
Love the Skin You’re In
Brianna continued to share her experience on social media as Bobby grew older in the hopes of influencing others to embrace themselves as they were. Brianna created a campaign showing skin variances around the country with the hashtag “Love the skin you’re in,” advocating self-love, body acceptance, and tolerance. She didn’t want anybody else to go through what she had with the bad reactions to Bobby. She was resolved to make a difference and to stand up to the ludicrous beauty standards that so many others felt compelled to follow.
Love The Skin You’re In
Stronger Than Ever
The Cooper family was more powerful than ever. Thomas and Lira adored their little brother and never made a comment about how he differed from them. They were aware that their mother had been through a difficult time, but she now used social media as a full-time profession rather than a hobby, and she always turned her phone off when they arrived home from school. The family got back into going for long walks in the park together in the light summer evenings, but they were always careful to check the weather forecast beforehand.
Stronger Than Ever