Meet this courageous little girl, born without a nose, challenging societal norms and inspiring others to embrace the diverse beauty within us all! Tessa, facing the rare condition known as complete congenital arhinia, exudes unmatched enthusiasm despite unique challenges from the moment she entered the world.
Complete congenital arhinia, an exceptionally rare anomaly affecting only 100 individuals globally, leads to the absence of nasal development in the womb. In Tessa’s case, this condition means she is unable to smell.
During an ultrasound, Tessa’s parents, Grainne and Nathan Evans, discovered her facial deformity, evoking a mix of emotions as they learned their daughter would be born without a nose, just five months into the pregnancy.
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Despite the initial surprise, the Evans family, hailing from County Derry, Northern Ireland, remained steadfast in ensuring little Tessa received the best care and support possible. Tessa, born without a nose, underwent a tracheotomy shortly after birth to aid in her breathing. At just eleven months old, she confronted another hurdle—cataract surgery.
Two years later, Tessa underwent cosmetic surgery, where surgeons implanted prosthetics under the skin in the area where her nose should be, setting the groundwork for creating an artificial nose in the future. The operation, involving bone and skin grafts, aimed to gradually enhance Tessa’s appearance over time.
There is optimism that, eventually, doctors will be able to craft a nose for Tessa using a 3D printer!
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Adapting to a life without a nose, Tessa learned to breathe through her mouth and navigate a world without the sense of smell. Despite these challenges, her infectious joy and zest for life stand as a powerful testament to her unyielding determination.
In a recent YouTube interview, Grainne, Tessa’s mother, remarked, “Tessa has proved everybody wrong. She exceeded everybody’s expectations.”
Regrettably, not everyone has been as kind to Tessa, especially as some struggle to grasp the reality that they will encounter individuals who look different from them. Unkind trolls have gone so far as to dub Tessa ‘Voldemort,’ drawing a comparison to Harry Potter’s bald and noseless arch-nemesis. Remarkably, Tessa, a devoted Harry Potter fan herself, has taken it all in stride, even dressing up as the Dark Lord for Halloween!
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Beyond surpassing expectations, Tessa possesses an extraordinary ability to brighten any room she enters. “She walks into any room, and she can lift the room’s mood and make everyone happy,” remarked Nathan, Tessa’s father.
Tessa’s narrative has captured global attention, becoming a wellspring of inspiration for numerous individuals facing their own challenges. Her resilience underscores the fact that true beauty transcends physical appearance.
In a world often inundated with negativity and animosity, Tessa’s story exemplifies that we can triumph over adversity, and that being a compassionate human being makes us beautiful on the inside – a quality that, in my opinion, far surpasses everything else.
Share your thoughts on the incredible journey of little Tessa in the comments!