A LITTLE girl born without a nose due to an ultra-rare genetic condition is due to have a brand new, 3D-printed nose implant fitted.
Tessa Evans, 8, from County Derry, N.
Ireland, is one of only 100 people in the world with Bosma arhinia microphthalmia syndrome (BAM) syndrome.
As well as being born with no nose, BAM syndrome has also left Tessa with limited vision in right eye and none in her left eye.
Due to her lack of nose, at eight days old Tessa was given a tracheostomy to open up a second airway and help her breathe.
Tessa’s mother Gráinne, 37, said: “Even if they were able to make an airway for Tessa with her nose, she still wouldn’t be able to smell because she doesn’t have the part of the brain that processes the smells.” However, young Tessa chooses to look on the bright side when it comes to her inability to detect odours.
“It’s disappointing that I can’t smell the good smells, but it’s awesome that I can’t smell the bad smells," she said.
At the age of two, Tessa was the first person in the world to have a nasal implant made using 3D technology.
When she was four a larger implant was fitted which got infected and had to be removed.
Now Tessa’s medical team are now planning to insert a new nose next year.
Tessa loves riding her skateboard and playing with her three siblings - brothers Cathal, 11, and Naoise, 4, and sister Cassie, 10.
She said: “The first thing I’ll do when I get my new nose is put my glasses on!
I can’t wait for my new nose, it’s going to make me really happy.” https://www.instagram.com/tessabornextraordinary/ https://www.facebook.com/bornwithoutanose/ https://gogetfunding.com/tessa-born-extraordinary/