X
TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Money Tips
    • Savings
    • Insurance
    • Loans
    • Investments
    • Government Benefits
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
    • COVID-19
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

Meet the toddler whose brain grows through his nose

17 Dec, 2015
Meet the toddler whose brain grows through his nose

21-month-old Ollie, fondly called 'real life Pinocchio', has a rare condition which is causing his brain to grow through a crack in his skull into his nose.

22-year-old Amy Poole of England was 20 weeks pregnant when doctors found something strange about the baby she was carrying.

A scan showed unusual growth of soft tissue on his nose which was morphing into a lump.

An MRI was done to further determine what was happening, which confirmed that the lump was an encephalocele.

Encephalocele is a rare condition which causes parts of the brain to protrude through irregular openings in the skull, this is why his brain grows through his nose.

Though Amy was scared at first she was just relieved the lump found was not cancerous.

Amy told the Daily Mail, “When they gave me Ollie to hold, I was so surprised that I almost couldn’t speak. He was so tiny, but there was this enormous golf-ball sized lump on his nose.”

She adds, “At first I wasn’t sure how I would cope. But I knew that I would love him no matter what he looked like.”

Overcoming with optimism

Amy fondly calls 21-month-old Ollie her ‘real life Pinocchio’.

He has undergone some painful operations to correct the defect and to help him breathe properly.

He is currently preparing for more reconstructive surgery as well as some dental work to align his teeth, reports BBC news.

Sadly, not everyone is sympathetic with Ollie’s plight. Amy told BBC that her little boy suffered ‘pathetic abuse’ and bullying directed at him from strangers.

These strangers would taunt the boy with rude comments.

“I feel like I’m boiling, but I stay calm. I don’t actually act on anything. I take the higher ground,” she shares with BBC.

Despite all of this, Amy remains optimistic that her son will overcome all of this and grow up health and happy.

READ: Baby born without a nose

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Partner Stories
This Mommy Welfare Month, Absolute Gives Back The Love to Moms #SelfLoveIsBabyLove
This Mommy Welfare Month, Absolute Gives Back The Love to Moms #SelfLoveIsBabyLove
3 Amazing Possible Stories that will leave you smiling, crying, and inspired
3 Amazing Possible Stories that will leave you smiling, crying, and inspired
Motherhood away from home
Motherhood away from home
Bathing is bonding with Cetaphil Baby
Bathing is bonding with Cetaphil Baby
Advertisement

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • Meet the toddler whose brain grows through his nose
Share:
  • Facing Cancer and the Filipino Health Care Struggle

    Facing Cancer and the Filipino Health Care Struggle

  • Bayanihan Beyond Borders: PH Sends Medical Team to Aid Myanmar Quake Victims

    Bayanihan Beyond Borders: PH Sends Medical Team to Aid Myanmar Quake Victims

  • Road Rage in Antipolo: A Tragic Reminder for Filipino Parents to Stay Calm on the Road

    Road Rage in Antipolo: A Tragic Reminder for Filipino Parents to Stay Calm on the Road

  • Facing Cancer and the Filipino Health Care Struggle

    Facing Cancer and the Filipino Health Care Struggle

  • Bayanihan Beyond Borders: PH Sends Medical Team to Aid Myanmar Quake Victims

    Bayanihan Beyond Borders: PH Sends Medical Team to Aid Myanmar Quake Victims

  • Road Rage in Antipolo: A Tragic Reminder for Filipino Parents to Stay Calm on the Road

    Road Rage in Antipolo: A Tragic Reminder for Filipino Parents to Stay Calm on the Road

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Money Tips
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • Lifestyle Section
  • FAMILY & HOME
  • TAP Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2025. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it