The story of the baby that defied all odds.

In 1993, something truly remarkable happened in South East Australia. A baby named Tomm Tennent was born with a condition so rare that it left doctors completely baffled. From the moment he entered the world, Tomm looked different—his body was covered in deeply wrinkled skin, making him appear like a much older child. Even before birth, doctors had noticed something unusual during routine ultrasounds.

Concerned, his parents, Geoff and Debbie, were given the difficult choice of whether to continue the pregnancy. But they made a brave decision. “We sort of discussed this between us and decided what’s meant to be is meant to be,” said Geoff. They chose to go through with the birth, despite the uncertainty. When Tomm was born, both parents were shocked.

Debbie remembers holding her baby for the first time with mixed emotions—surprise and love all at once. Tomm’s condition was unlike anything doctors had ever seen. With no diagnosis and no known treatment, his parents could only hope things would improve over time. He remained in the hospital for over two months as doctors and researchers studied his case, trying to find answers.

Eventually, a breakthrough came. Medical experts discovered that Tomm had an unusually high level of hyaluronic acid in his system—a substance also found in Shar Pei puppies. In those dogs, the acid causes wrinkled skin early on, but the wrinkles fade as they grow. Doctors hoped the same would happen for Tomm.

Fortunately, their predictions came true. As Tomm grew, his skin began to adjust and smooth out. But his journey was not easy. He faced challenges during his childhood, including bullying and being excluded by classmates because of how he looked. Still, Tomm showed incredible resilience. With the support of his family, he pushed through the difficult years and learned to embrace his uniqueness.

Now, more than 30 years later, Tomm Tennent lives a quiet, fulfilling life. He resides in Frankston, Victoria, Australia, and is happily married to his wife, Hannah. He keeps a low profile on social media but appears content and grounded. On his Facebook, he shares a simple, powerful motto:
“Life is simple. You make choices and don’t look back.”

Tomm’s story is one of strength, hope, and acceptance. From shocking the medical world at birth to growing into a confident adult, his journey continues to inspire people around the world.