When Amy Poole was 20 weeks pregnant, she received the news from doctors that Ollie would be born different due to the soft tissue developing on his face. ''Despite being prepared for the possibility'', Poole was still taken aback when she held baby Ollie in her arms. He was tiny, with a noticeable lump the size of a golf ball on his nose. Despite initial uncertainties, she knew she would love him no matter how he looked.
However, as Ollie grew, Poole started facing hurtful and unpleasant comments from people who saw his nose. These comments were heartbreaking for her.'' She recalls an instance where a woman told her that she should have never given birth to him, bringing her to the verge of tears''. Yet, to Poole, Ollie is perfect. She sees him as her real-life Pinocchio, and she couldn't be prouder of her son.
Despite facing hurtful remarks from many indifferent individuals, Ollie Trezise's mother decided to take a stand and speak out. Ollie, born in February 2014 in Maesteg, has a rare condition that caused his brain to grow through a crack in his skull, protruding into his nose, giving him a resemblance to Pinocchio.
An MRI confirmed that the lump on Ollie's nose was a rare condition known as encephalocele. As he grew older, the condition also grew, ''requiring surgery to open his nasal passage for proper breathing. In November 2014, Ollie underwent a successful surgery to reshape his nose, leaving him with a big, crooked scar on his head.''
''Despite the pain he must have endured, Ollie displayed incredible positivity and laughter, which greatly inspired his mother'', Amy Poole. His resilience made everything easier for her. Now fully recovered, Ollie enjoys playful moments, splashing around in the swimming pool, and having fun with his sister Annabelle.
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He has such a unique personality, ''always bringing laughter to our lives''. Ollie and Annabelle are inseparable, and they constantly find themselves in playful mischief,Poole remarked. Annabelle even gets a bit jealous of Ollie's nose because it garners so much attention. I sometimes catch her reaching for it when she thinks I'm not looking.
After witnessing Ollie facing bullying, Poole is determined to raise awareness about his condition. She explained, I don't want other children to experience the same hurtful comments that Ollie has endured. I believe the ''best way to combat'' this is through education. I would prefer people to ask me about Ollie's appearance rather than simply calling him ugly or pointing and staring.!
