Different but still beautiful: Tessa Evans was born with a rare condition that means she has no nose (Picture: Caters)

Like any other toddler Tessa Evans loves to dance, climb furniture and blow kisses.

But she suffers from a condition which means she was born with no nose. The 17-month-old has complete congenital arhinia, which is so rare there have only been 47 recorded cases in Britain.

Tessa has no sense of smell and no sinuses but she can cough, sneeze and catch a cold. And despite her difficulties, she always has a smile on her face, says her mother Gráinne. When her daughter was born with no nose Mrs Evans says her head was full of questions.

‘But since we got her home her differences have faded into the background,’ she said




Tessa will have a prosthetic nose fitted later this year.

‘She is perfect to us but we have to think about what will make life as normal as possible for her,’ said Mrs Evans of Maghera, Co Derry.