About birthmarks

@SERVERFRA might have thoughts on this as she posted this in another thread.

Finally, a birthmark in the game. I can so relate to the new sim baby. I was born with a birthmark on my left side of my face. It's actually called Sturge Weber Syndrome.
If it would be possible for the teen to adult to have a birthmark in the game I could actually make a me sim.

Is the trigger warning for people with port-wine stains to dare exist ? Confused.

They are classed as birth marks...and they may fade as the sim gets older. Confused as to why you'd be triggered?

The trigger warning is for difficult discussion other people may feel sensitive about. It's meant as a discussion in good faith, but I know from experience that some things get lost in translation. I'm also from a culture that is very direct and not all cultures are that way.

Maybe a triggerwarning for the word triggerwarning next time? ;)

"simlish1;c-18244874" wrote:
They are classed as birth marks...and they may fade as the sim gets older. Confused as to why you'd be triggered?

When you have a baby and they have a very prominent mark in a sensitive area (the eye, the head) that could be indicative of a lasting medical complication, wouldn't you be worried? The advice is that a doctor will examine the baby. This is very serious. I understand, these babies aren't real and they are conceived in a simulation - but I noticed in this particular instance, that a real life complication entered a world that doesn't treat any of these things as a reality in the first place.

Should these marks be applied randomly as a cosmetic, that is the question. Is this a fair and a respectful approach to what a potential medical complication might mean?

Here she is :)

I actually have that Sturge Weber Syndrome Birthmark. Basically, it's caused when a baby is still being developed in the Womb, a small blood cell breaks just under the skin of the baby's face.

"SERVERFRA;c-18245361" wrote:
I actually have that Sturge Weber Syndrome Birthmark. Basically, it's caused when a baby is still being developed in the Womb, a small blood cell breaks just under the skin of the baby's face.

What do you think of it being added in-game the way that it is? I understand that with this particular birthmark, there could be neurological complications of varying degrees.

Edit: maybe it is important to emphasise that if a person has a port-wine stain on their face, but no neurological symptoms, they do not have the Sturge-Weber syndrome. The birthmark only warrants an examination from a professional to ensure the child is given a diagnosis and the best care.

I think the birth marks are a great thing to be included in The Sims 4, however, I do hope that Maxis/EA is doing their research and remain respectful by making correct looking birth marks, as well as stretch marks, I have had some extra weight in my body, but I lost some weight recently, though I did get stretch marks, so I am happy if those stretch marks are available for young adults as well as genderless/trans Sims.

Actually, it really doesn't bother me that the birthmarks & Sturge Weber Syndrome is in the game. There are so many Doctors that are so clueless about Sturge Weber Syndrome & what the person's side effects are. :s :'( So, if a silly game can maybe shed a little light on it, I'm all for it. ;)
Plus, in a weird way I can actually make a proper sim self now. :p

The purpose of inclusion in cas aka the "aesthetic or cosmetics" of features caused from medical diagnosis is so that more people can connect personally to the sim when making sim selves or detailed characters with more real backgrounds. A mole/freckle is innocuous as a beauty mark until it's not but there doesn't seem to be a lot of terrible concern about the possible triggering of using moles and freckles. To that end any birth mark or possible medical skin conditions, or even medical tools/equipment or accessories utilized in cas is always treated with a certain amount of respect by maxis to anyone who may have those appearances in real life whilst not diving to unnecessarily into the deep understanding of each one. That means that what might be in reality a dangerous, scary or concerning diagnosis, doesn't constitute that it will or even should affect gameplay. I feel that is best left up the player to decide if the medical accessory which in game by definition is simply a cas cosmetic not a real diagnosis,can be used to create a story line that CAN include the fears or struggles with said possible diagnosis. For other players, there is no in-depth story, the cas items are being used as a harmless medically unaddressed aesthetic to create unique sims which is equally as acceptable for their gameplay. In RL medical conditions are not an "aesthetic" or "cosmetic" but in the game it's exactly what everything in cas is. There are mods to address randomization of cas items to prevent any "out of story" additions to pre-existing characters if you don't wish these medical themed cas items to trigger RL concerns for the digital characters.