Born fittingly on Valentine’s Day in 2013, Tessa Evans has spent the last 12 years proving that beauty and bravery aren’t defined by a conventional profile. The young girl, who entered the world with an ultra-rare condition that left her without a nose, continues to be a beacon of resilience, bolstered by a family that showers her with daily praise and a global community captivated by her “infallible courage.”
Tessa’s condition, known as Bosma arhinia microphthalmia syndrome (BAMS), is a medical anomaly of staggering rarity. According to the National Institutes of Health, fewer than 100 cases have ever been documented in medical history. For Tessa, this means growing up without a sense of smell or sinuses—though, in a quirk of human biology that surprised even her parents, she can still cough, sneeze, and catch a cold.
“It was funny the very first time she sneezed, but we actually found out that it actually comes from your chest,” her father, Nathan, recalled. “However, having that wee bit of normality was quite nice.”
A Pioneer in Pediatric Surgery
The road to Tessa’s current pre-teen years was paved with clinical challenges. Her journey began with a five-week stint in intensive care and a tracheostomy at just two weeks old to create a viable airway.
However, at age two, Tessa made medical history. She became the first person ever to undergo a cosmetic nasal implant procedure at such a young age. Traditionally, surgeons wait until a patient reaches their teenage years—when facial growth has stabilized—to fit a prosthesis. But Grainne and Nathan Evans opted for a gradual, long-term approach to spare their daughter more invasive, traumatic surgeries later in life.
“It was an incredibly difficult decision for all of us; we love Tessa so much and thought she was completely beautiful the way she was,” Grainne explained. “We ultimately decided to go ahead as it was a chance to gradually change her appearance over the years and to normalize her profile without ever cutting her face.”
The Long Road to a ‘Final’ Profile
The process is an intricate marathon of medical artistry. Over the coming years, surgeons will continue to expand the skin and adjust the underlying structure. The final stage, set for her teenage years, will involve a medical tattoo artist who will use light and shade to create the contours and “dimple in” the nostrils to achieve a realistic appearance.
The journey hasn’t been without setbacks; at one point, a complication required the removal of one of her implants. Yet, through every surgery and recovery room, the bond between mother and daughter remained the anchor.
“It was quite soul-destroying to leave her side each evening at 11 p.m.,” Grainne said of the recovery periods. “Whatever happened, I would be by her side when she woke up the next day. And that was a gift.”
Tessa at 12: ‘No Bad Smells’
Now 12 years old, Tessa has developed a “charming” personality that refuses to be sidelined by her diagnosis. She approaches her unique biology with a sense of humor that belies her age.
“I really can’t wait for a new nose, it’s going to make me really happy. My BAMS syndrome will not stop me from doing anything,” Tessa shared recently. With a giggle, she added: “It’s disappointing that I can’t smell the good smells, but it’s awesome that I can’t smell the bad smells.”
As Tessa enters her adolescence, her mother notes that her energy is only getting brighter. In a world obsessed with perfection, the girl born on the day of love is showing everyone that a “normal” life isn’t about how you look, but about the spirit with which you face the world.
For those following the long, emotional journey of young Tessa Evans, the milestones are as much about spirit as they are about surgery. Amid the complexities of pioneering medical procedures, it is Tessa’s irrepressible personality that remains the headline.
“Every day she inspires me with her zest for life and infallible courage,” her mother, Grainne, shared, reflecting on her daughter’s resilience. The weight of that courage was captured in a single, poignant moment during a recent trip to London. While in a lift, the young girl caught her reflection, seeing her updated nasal implant for the first time.
Turning to her mother with a radiant smile, she simply said, “Mummy, I love my new nose.”
It is this brand of charm and beauty that has turned Tessa into a global inspiration. On her dedicated Facebook page, Tessa; Born Extraordinary, a community of supporters continues to grow. Online users frequently flock to the site, gushing over the adorable girl and drawing strength from a child who refuses to let a rare diagnosis dim her light.
In a world often preoccupied with symmetry and standard definitions of aesthetic perfection, the story of Tessa Evans serves as a profound counter-narrative. Born with a rare condition that left her without a nose, Tessa’s journey is not merely a medical curiosity, but a testament to the fact that true beauty is rooted in something far deeper than physical features. To look at Tessa is to see a young girl who is not defined by what she lacks, but by the extraordinary light she radiates.
The digital community has rallied around this young pioneer, with her story sparking a global conversation on resilience and the nature of beauty. On social media, where thousands follow her progress, the outpouring of support is as heartfelt as it is widespread.
“Her face may not be ordinary, but I find it exceptionally beautiful. Intelligence, character as well. Shine on, young one,” wrote one observer, capturing the sentiment shared by many.
As the years pass and Tessa continues to navigate her groundbreaking medical path, the public has been able to witness her transformation firsthand. Another supporter noted the visible joy in her recent milestones, stating, “Tessa has grown and is beautiful and looks happy.” For many others, simply seeing her smile is enough to offer a perspective shift on their own lives: “Seeing the pictures has made my day…” a third netizen shared.
Tessa Evans remains a reminder that “extraordinary” is perhaps the only word sufficient to describe a child who meets every challenge with such grace. Her story continues to inspire, teaching us all that character and courage are the most enduring forms of beauty.
