How does a girl who was born without a nose eight years ago live now?

Tessa revels in the joys childhood offers—playing, dancing, exploring the outdoors, engaging in fun activities, and horseback riding. Despite her typical childhood interests, Tessa’s beginning of life was marked by a unique medical condition: she entered the world without a nose.

Diagnosed with congenital aplasia at birth, Tessa came into this world without a nose—an incredibly rare condition with fewer than 100 known cases globally.

Remarkably, Tessa can cough, sneeze, and even contract the common cold although she cannot smell and is missing her sinuses.

Despite the significant hurdles connected with her birth condition, Tessa’s spirit remains buoyant and full of life.

Her parents, initially stunned at the discovery of their daughter’s condition, quickly embraced her unique charm, never seeing her as anything less than a wonderful child.

The unexpected turn in their journey began during an ultrasound, which showed Tessa’s distinctive facial profile. Despite the option presented to terminate the pregnancy, the love-struck parents chose life, welcoming the endearing Tessa into the world. Her unique birth doesn’t diminish her preciousness in any way.

Tessa’s uniqueness doesn’t end with aplasia; she also confronted cardiac and ocular issues. At merely 11 months old, she underwent removal of a cataract from her left eye, yet complications have resulted in persistent blindness in that eye.

A tracheostomy was also carried out, enabling Tessa to breathe while feeding and slumbering.

She is slated to undergo multiple surgeries to ready her for artificial noses, aligning with her growth until she reaches adolescence, at which time the final nasal prosthesis is expected to be produced.

Challenges notwithstanding, Tessa blossoms into a joyful, inquisitive, and social young lady. She finds reassurance in the unwavering support of her family, who encourage her with reminders that she is no different from anyone else, and her siblings also play a vital role in nurturing her resilience and hope.