Tessa Evans, a remarkable girl who was born without a nose, entered the world on Valentine’s Day in 2013. Each and every day, she is enveloped in the love and admiration of her family and countless individuals across the globe.
Fewer than 100 people worldwide share the same condition as Tessa. Her mother lauds her for her “captivating” attitude and “unwavering courage.”
Eight years after becoming the pioneer to receive nasal implants, Tessa remains strong and is living her life to the fullest. She refuses to let her circumstances impede her from engaging in any activity.
When Grainne and Nathan Evans’ Valentine’s Day baby was born without a nose, they were utterly astonished. Their pregnancy had proceeded normally, with no indications of any issues.
Hailing from Maghera, Ireland, Tessa was born without a nose due to Bosma arhinia microphthalmia syndrome (BAMS).
According to the National Institutes of Health, there have been fewer than 100 documented cases of this condition in the annals of medical history.
Remedying it is a formidable task, given the extreme rarity of the disease.
For Tessa, this means she is unable to smell or breathe through her nose, yet she can still cough, sneeze, and contract a cold.
“It was rather comical the first time she sneezed, but we actually discovered that it originates from the chest,” her father, Nathan, recounted. “Nevertheless, having that small semblance of normalcy was quite pleasant.”
Tessa endured a difficult initial few weeks of life. She spent five weeks in intensive care.
When she was less than two weeks old, she underwent surgery to have a tracheostomy tube inserted into her mouth, enabling her to eat and sleep normally.
At just two years old, Tessa became the first person to receive a cosmetic nasal implant to compensate for the absent nasal structure. Typically, those in need of a nose prosthesis wait until their teenage years when their facial growth has ceased.
Her parents explained that they opted for the surgery at a young age to spare her from more invasive procedures in the future.
“It was an agonizingly difficult decision for all of us. We love Tessa deeply and thought she was utterly beautiful just the way she was,” Grainne shared. “Ultimately, we decided to proceed as it presented an opportunity to gradually modify her appearance over time and normalize her facial profile without ever having to cut her face.”
When Tessa reaches the age of 13, the surgical journey for her face will finally conclude. Grainne elaborated on the protracted process: “They say that once the final, refined nose is in place, they will then enlist a medical tattoo artist to add light and shade, creating the more intricate contours of her nose.” She further added, “They can then create the appearance of nostrils and shade them to seem realistic.”
After making the arduous choice, Grainne, a mother of three, was determined to be by her baby’s side throughout her recovery.
“It was an extremely stressful period, as I had never been separated from Tessa overnight, and it was heart-wrenching to leave her side each evening at 11 p.m.,” Grainne continued. “However, I took comfort in the fact that I was just a phone call away and could be there within minutes. No matter what happened, I would be there when she woke up the next day. And that was a precious gift.”
Over the years, the process of obtaining donations has been far from smooth. One implant had to be removed. However, Tessa, now 10 years old, remains resilient and cheerful.
“Truly, I’m eagerly anticipating a new nose; it will make me incredibly happy. My BAMS syndrome will not hold me back from doing anything,” Tessa said two years ago. “It’s a bit disappointing that I can’t smell the pleasant odors, but it’s great that I can’t smell the unpleasant ones either,” the endearing girl added with a chuckle.
Grainne noted that Tessa’s energy has improved as she has grown.
“Every day, she fills me with inspiration through her enthusiasm for life and unshakable courage. When she first saw her new nose in an elevator during our trip to London, she looked at me with a beaming smile and exclaimed, ‘Mummy, I love my new nose.'”
As the young and beautiful Tessa embarks on this long and emotional journey, she serves as an inspiration to all with her strength and grace.
On her Facebook page, “Tessa; Born Extraordinary,” people are effusive in their praise for the charming girl in response to the posts shared there.
“Her face may not be typical, but I find it extraordinarily beautiful, as is her intelligence and character. Shine on, young one,” wrote one. Another added, “Tessa has grown and is beautiful and appears happy.”
“Seeing the pictures has brightened my day…” penned a third person on the Internet.