Brenna was born with Harlequin ichthyosis—a rare and severe skin condition that turns even the simplest parts of life into daily battles. From the moment she entered the world, her parents, Courtney and Evan, knew their journey would be filled with extraordinary challenges. But nothing prepared them for the reactions of others: the long stares, the whispered comments, and the parents who silently grabbed their children and left without a word.
Courtney has grown to accept children’s natural curiosity, but it’s the silence of adults that cuts the deepest. “Why do parents shy away from people who look different?” she wonders. “Why not just say, ‘I don’t know, but everyone is unique in their own way’?”
Despite everything, Brenna radiates joy and confidence. She’s a bright, spirited little girl with an incredible support system. Her older brother, Connor, is her biggest fan—always by her side, always cheering her on. And her father, Evan, is a gentle and devoted presence, carefully bathing her each night and applying the creams that soothe her sensitive skin. Though Brenna has only a few wisps of hair, he still combs it every day with the same loving attention.
In so many ways, Brenna is just like any other child. She giggles through games with her brother, cherishes bedtime stories, and dreams big. Her parents believe in her deeply and are convinced there’s nothing she can’t do.
To share their journey and foster greater compassion, Courtney began writing about their daily life and, in August 2016, published a heartfelt book titled A Different Beautiful. Through her words, the family hopes to open hearts, challenge assumptions, and show that real beauty shines through love, resilience, and acceptance.
