Meet Tessa Evans: The 10-Year-Old Embracing Life and Her New Nose Despite Unique Challenge
Born on Valentine’s Day in 2013, Tessa Evans is a remarkable girl who entered the world without a nose. Her family and admirers from around the world shower her with love and admiration every day.
Tessa’s condition, known as Bosma arhinia microphthalmia syndrome (BAMS), is incredibly rare, with fewer than 100 cases documented globally. Her mother commends her for her delightful personality and unwavering bravery.
Tessa’s parents, Grainne and Nathan Evans, were taken aback when their Valentine’s Day bundle of joy arrived without a nose, after an otherwise normal pregnancy with no indications of any abnormalities. Due to the rarity of BAMS, finding a solution isn’t straightforward.
Living with this condition means Tessa lacks a sense of smell and doesn’t have sinuses, but she can still cough, sneeze, and catch a cold. Despite being the first person to receive nasal implants eight years ago, Tessa embraces life to the fullest and refuses to let her condition hinder her in any way.
“It was amusing the first time she sneezed, but we learned it actually originates from the chest,” recalled her father, Nathan. “Still, having that tiny glimpse of normality was quite comforting.”
The initial weeks of Tessa’s life were incredibly challenging. She spent five weeks in intensive care, and before she even turned two weeks old, she underwent surgery to establish a second airway using a tracheostomy tube. This crucial step allowed her to eat and sleep properly.
At the tender age of two, Tessa made history as the first person ever to receive a cosmetic nasal implant, providing her with the missing feature she was born without.
Typically, individuals in need of a nasal prosthesis undergo the procedure during their teenage years, once their facial growth has stabilized.
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Tessa’s parents opted for the procedure at a young age in hopes of sparing her from more extensive surgeries in the future.
Grainne, her mother, shared the emotional struggle they faced: “It was an incredibly tough decision for all of us. We love Tessa dearly and thought she was perfectly beautiful just the way she was.” Ultimately, they chose to move forward with the surgery as a way to gradually refine her appearance over the years and normalize her profile without the need for major facial alterations.
The complete transformation of Tessa’s face won’t be finalized until she reaches her teenage years. Grainne outlined the long-term process, explaining, “Once they have the final, intricate nose in place, they will bring in a medical tattoo artist to add light and shadow to create the finer contours of her nose.” She added, “They will then create dimples in the nostrils and shade them to look authentic.”
Following this pivotal decision, Grainne, a mother of three, yearned to be by her baby’s side throughout the recovery process. She reflected on the stress and heartache of leaving Tessa’s side each night at 11 p.m., as it was the first time she had ever spent a night apart from her. Despite the emotional toll, Grainne found solace in knowing she was just a phone call away and could be with Tessa in a matter of minutes. She treasured the assurance that no matter what happened, she would be there by Tessa’s side when she woke up the next day. It was a precious gift to her.
The road to Tessa’s nasal transplant hasn’t been without its bumps; she even had to have one implant removed. Yet, at 10 years old, Tessa remains steadfast and full of cheer.
“I’m really excited for my new nose. It’s going to make me really happy. My BAMs syndrome won’t hold me back from anything,” Tessa expressed two years ago. She continued with a chuckle, “It’s a bummer that I can’t smell the nice scents, but it’s pretty cool that I can’t smell the stinky ones.”
As Tessa grows older, Grainne notes that her spirit shines even brighter. “Every day, she amazes me with her love for life and unwavering bravery. The first time she saw her new nose in a mirror in London, she looked at me with a huge grin and said, ‘Mommy, I love my new nose.'”
Throughout this challenging journey, the delightful young Tessa is a beacon of inspiration, captivating people with her inner strength and radiance.
Even without a nose, Tessa is a beautiful girl, and her condition doesn’t make her anything but extraordinary.
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