Little Girl Was Born With An Unusally Beautiful Genetic Defect

#1

When a mother carries her child for nine months all she thinks about is what her precious bundle of joy will look like. Will she look like her dad? Who's eyes will she have? What color of hair will she have?

#2

When 23 year old Brianna Worthy from Ridgeland, South Carolina was pregnant with her daughter, she wondered if she would inherit her "birthmark".

Brianna was born with a white patch at the front of their hair which is caused by poliosis. Poliosis is the lack of melanin on the hair,eyebrows, eyelashes, as well as other areas on the body. Brianna Worthy sees her poliosis as a birthmark, a family trait that makes her stand out.

#3

Throughout Brianna's whole pregnancy she prayed her baby would have her birthmark.

"My younger sister, who my mother had a few years after me, didn't get it so I didn't know if MilliAnna was going to but, once I had her and they laid her on my chest and I saw she had it, I was so happy," says Worthy.

#4

The family is not sure how far back the poliosis runs.

"We are unsure how far back the birthmark goes as my grandmother was adopted as a child and hasn't met her biological family," explains Worthy.

#5

Total strangers stop her all the time complimenting her on their hair.

"The majority of the time, I welcome the polite comments and don't mind answering the many questions but honestly, it can be overwhelming at times".

"When I'm in a rush and just trying to do what I need and keep going," says the 23-year-old mom.

#6

Brianna Worthy remembers being teased as a child and called a skunk. She admits that it took her a long time to embrace her hair. Although she loves it now, it wasn't always so easy when she was growing up.

#7

Pictured here are three generations of women who proudly have poliosis. Brianna and MilliAnna pose with Brianna's mother Jennifer.

"I plan to raise my daughter knowing she is beautiful and special and to not listen to people mean comments at times," explains Worthy.