From birth, she was known as “Little Voldemort” because she had no nose and could only breathe through her mouth.

Tessa Evans, from the town of Maghera, County Londonderry, unexpectedly gained media fame due to a rare genetic condition called BAM (Bosma Arhinia Microphthalmia). This means Tessa was born without a nose and had to breathe through her mouth.

The congenital nasal bone aplasia that Tessa suffers from is so rare that only 47 similar cases have been recorded in the history of British medicine. It is considered one of the rarest diseases in the world, and Tessa is the only person in Ireland with this condition.

This rare abnormality presented Tessa with unique challenges from the very beginning of her life.

Immediately after birth, she was transferred to the intensive care unit. She underwent surgery to remove her trachea to allow her to breathe more easily. At just 11 months old, Tessa underwent cataract surgery, adding to the challenges she faced at such a young age.

Two years later, Tessa underwent cosmetic surgery, laying the groundwork for a future prosthetic nose.

Despite the challenges, Tessa’s parents still consider her a beautiful and extraordinary girl. “But since Tessa came home, no one has noticed her differences anymore,” shared Grainne, Tessa’s mother.

“To us, she still looks perfect. But we need to think about how to help her live a normal life like everyone else,” Tessa’s mother added.

The family has established a support group and a Facebook page called “Tessa: Born Extraordinary” to share Tessa’s journey and life. The family also contacted about 40 other families around the world, and through them, they were able to gather enough people to participate in genetic research and disease classification.

Gradually, Tessa adapted to life without a nose and breathing through her mouth. Despite the difficulties, Tessa is a cheerful and happy child. She remains determined to live life to the fullest.

“Tessa proved everyone wrong. She exceeded everyone’s expectations,” her mother shared.

Tessa’s story has attracted worldwide attention, becoming an inspiration to many facing challenges. Her strength and resilience are a powerful reminder that true beauty lies in the inner spirit of each person, not in appearance.

Time flies, and now Tessa Evans is 10 years old and attends primary school at St Brigid School. She loves going to school to play with her friends.

Last November, Tessa made a surprise appearance on the popular television show “The Late Late Show,” which airs annually in Ireland.

Previously, Tessa’s teacher encouraged her family to audition for the show. Tessa’s mother took her to participate, and luckily, she passed the audition. Tessa said she was very excited and thrilled to be on the show.

Tessa surprised viewers with her current appearance and life. The most noticeable thing is the bright smile that still graces her face.

“We made a very simple short video of Tessa talking about her favorite toys and we were surprised to be called to the audition.

We went to Dublin and it was a wonderful day for her. Parents weren’t allowed in the audition room, but Tessa was very confident. She walked in and I could hear laughter coming from the room and then we waited for two weeks. Then, we got a phone call saying Tessa had been selected for the show. It was truly a dream come true for us,” her mother shared.

Her mother added that Tessa had two rehearsals. “Everything went really well and Tessa had a great experience. It was amazing to be in one of the shows because there were so many other girls in with my daughter. She made so many friends and was so excited to do it with them.”

Tessa’s mother also said that her daughter has become accustomed to being interviewed and appearing on television for documentaries.

Sharing about her daughter’s current situation, she said: “Tessa is the only person in Ireland with this condition (BAM), as far as we know, so her Facebook page is a way to reach out to others around the world. We’ve made so many connections through it. Tessa was born without a nose and is visually impaired.

She also has hormonal issues and has had a tracheostomy as a second airway.”