When Ollie Trezise was born in Wales, doctors discovered a rare condition called encephalocele, in which tissue protrudes through an opening in the skull. In Ollie’s case, the condition affected the area of his nose, creating a swelling that was eventually about the size of a golf ball.

His mother, Amy Poole, had already been told during pregnancy that scans showed unusual tissue developing on her baby’s face. But seeing Ollie for the first time was still overwhelming. Despite the shock, Amy said she knew immediately that she would love her son regardless of how he looked.

As Ollie grew, the swelling became larger and began affecting his breathing. Doctors also warned that an injury to the area could lead to serious infection, making surgery necessary. At around 9 months old, Ollie underwent a major operation at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to repair the skull defect and reconstruct the affected area.

The surgery left Ollie with a large scar, but according to his mother, he soon returned to smiling, laughing and playing with his older sister. Doctors continued monitoring his development and said additional procedures could be needed as his skull and face grew.

What was hardest for Amy was not only watching her son go through treatment, but also seeing how some strangers reacted to his appearance. She recalled cruel comments from people who judged Ollie simply because he looked different.

But Amy never saw her son through the eyes of strangers.

To her, Ollie was not defined by a rare medical condition, a scar or the way his face looked. He was simply her happy, funny and beloved little boy.

His story became a reminder that sometimes people notice the difference before they notice the person.

And perhaps that is the question Ollie’s story leaves behind:

What if the first thing we saw was the child — not the condition that made them look different?

Sources: Medical Daily – Ollie Trezise’s story · Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – Encephalocele overview