Alabama Baby Born With No Nose Becomes Social Media Star

One-month-old Eli Thompson, the Alabama baby born on March 4 without a nose has become a social media star. Brandi McGlathery, his mother, made a Facebook page titled Eli’s Story, to keep herself busy while waiting for his release from the USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Mobile.

AL.com reports that as soon as the story as well as the images of Eli was published, the likes on the Facebook page jumped to more than 65,000 as of Monday from 4,500 last week. The Gofundme.com account opened to fund the infant’s medical expenses has also gone up to almost $30,000 from $4,300 a week ago.

YouTube videos about the miracle baby has hit more than 70,000 in less than one week. Clearly, being born with the condition congenital complete arhinia will prove to be no obstacle for Eli based on the support he is getting this early.

Brandi, who calls Eli a perfect baby, admittedly was shocked when the doctor placed the newborn on her chest. “Something’s wrong,” she told the doctor. “No, he’s perfectly fine,” he replied. Brandi shouted, “He doesn’t have a nose!” quotes Mashable.

The condition is so rare that since 1931, only 28 such cases have been reported, according to the USS Case Reports & Reviews. Only one in 197 million babies are born without a nose. To help Eli breathe, the doctors performed tracheotomy on him.

Aware that she can’t hide Eli, Brandi created the Facebook page to share his story with the world. And since then, support has been pouring from all over the world that the mum is overwhelmed by it.

Brandi shares that besides descriptions of the unique baby as adorable, special, handsome and a blessing, the family has received messages of love from New Zealand, hugs from Holland, best wishes from Singapore and Ireland, and love, thoughts and prayers from Brazil, Pakistan, Turkey, Canada and England

Although Eli won’t remain without a nose all his life since cosmetic surgery would help him have one, his story has also inspired people who feel insecure with their noses to be content that they have one.

One comment sums up the impact that Eli has on a world so engrossed with physical perfection. It reads: “I used to be caught up in thinking I need a nose job or I was too fat. Eli’s beauty and sweetness has made me realize I don’t need a nose job or any other cosmetic thing. I am perfect as is … just like your little man.”

To contact the writer, email: v.hernandez@ibtimes.com.au