Over the years, we at Newsner have shared countless extraordinary stories about children who have overcome unimaginable odds. Many of these stories have inspired hope, resilience, and compassion among our readers. However, very few have touched hearts as deeply as the remarkable journey of Tomm Tennent—a boy whose birth astonished doctors and whose life continues to inspire people around the world.
A birth that shocked the medical world
Tomm Tennent was born in South East Australia in 1993, and from the moment he entered the world, it was clear that his story would be unlike any other. He was born with an extraordinary amount of loose, wrinkled skin—so much that doctors estimated it was enough to cover a five-year-old child.
Medical staff were stunned. Many of them admitted they had never seen anything like it before.
“When he came out, I was quite shocked,” Tomm’s father, Geoff Tennent, recalled in an interview with 60 Minutes Australia in 2003. “I didn’t think a human, or a little baby, could ever look like that.”
The shock was shared by Tomm’s mother, Debbie Tennent, who was handed her newborn son moments after delivery.
“My heart came up to my throat,” she said. “But at the same time, it was lovely to pick him up and cuddle him.”
Despite the fear and uncertainty, the love between parent and child was instant and unbreakable.
Warning signs before birth
Before Tomm was born, ultrasounds had already suggested that something wasn’t quite right. Doctors could tell that abnormalities were present, though they had no idea how severe they would be. Faced with uncertainty, Geoff and Debbie were forced to make a difficult decision.
“We discussed it between us,” Geoff said. “And we decided what’s meant to be is meant to be.”
They chose to continue the pregnancy, trusting fate and hoping for the best—never imagining just how rare and mysterious their son’s condition would turn out to be.
A medical mystery with no answers
To doctors and specialists, Tomm was a complete medical mystery. His excessive skin had no clear cause, diagnosis, or known treatment. There were no medical records of another child being born with such an extreme condition.
Initially, doctors could only hope that Tomm would eventually grow into his skin. But because his case was so unique, researchers decided to study him closely in hopes of uncovering answers.
Tomm spent nearly two and a half months in a medical center, undergoing tests, scans, and evaluations. Scientists faced enormous challenges—there were no precedents, no textbooks, and no known cures to guide them.
For the Tennent family, this was an emotionally exhausting time. No parent wants to spend their newborn’s first months surrounded by hospital walls. Yet through it all, Tomm remained a calm, happy baby—completely unaware that he was different.
“He was just a lovely little boy,” his parents said, drawing strength from his resilience and gentle nature.
A surprising breakthrough
After months of research, doctors finally noticed something unexpected. Tomm’s appearance reminded them of the Shar Pei, a Chinese dog breed famous for its wrinkled skin.
This observation led to a breakthrough. Researchers discovered that Tomm had extremely high levels of hyaluronic acid in his body—nearly 100 times higher than normal. Interestingly, Shar Pei puppies also have elevated levels of this substance, which decrease as they grow older.
Doctors began to hope that Tomm’s condition might follow a similar pattern.
According to Dr. Andrew Ramsden, Tomm’s specialist, there was reason for optimism. If the levels of hyaluronic acid dropped naturally over time, Tomm’s skin might slowly tighten and normalize.
Thankfully, that is exactly what happened.
Growing up different—but never broken
As Tomm grew older, his appearance gradually changed. While he still looked different from other children, the excess skin became less pronounced with time.
In his hometown, Tomm became something of a local celebrity—loved and supported by many. However, school brought new challenges. Some children teased him, and others hesitated to play with him simply because he looked different.
Despite this, Tomm refused to let negativity define him. His confidence, kindness, and sense of humor helped him build friendships, and before long, he became fully integrated into school life.
In a 2003 interview, when asked if he worried about how his friends saw him, Tomm replied:
“Not really, because they are my friends, and they don’t really care how I look.”
When asked what he saw when he looked in the mirror, his answer was even more powerful:
“I see a kind, loving person.”
Sometimes, he said, people told him he looked cool. Other times, they said nothing at all—and that was okay.
A family built on unconditional love
Throughout every stage of Tomm’s life, his parents stood by him with unwavering pride.
“He’s a good boy,” Geoff said. “He’s doing well at school, he’s doing well at everything.”
From the very beginning, Geoff and Debbie made one important decision: they would never hide their son.
They believed that true beauty comes from within and that character matters far more than appearance. Their approach helped shape Tomm into the confident, compassionate man he is today.
Where is Tomm Tennent now?
It has now been over 28 years since Tomm’s birth amazed the medical world. After the 60 Minutes documentaries aired, millions of people followed his story and wondered how his life would unfold.
While Tomm has largely stayed out of the spotlight, glimpses from social media suggest a happy and fulfilling life. According to his Facebook profile, he has married the love of his life, Hannah, and the couple appears to live in Frankston, Victoria, near Melbourne.
One quote Tomm shared on social media seems to perfectly summarize his outlook on life:
“Life’s simple. You make choices, and you don’t look back.”
An inspiration to us all
When Tomm was once asked what he would change about himself, his answer was simple and profound:
“Probably nothing.”
His story is a powerful reminder that our differences do not define our worth—and that resilience, love, and self-acceptance can overcome even the most extraordinary challenges.
Isn’t that how we should all view ourselves?
Tomm Tennent’s journey proves that sometimes, the most inspiring stories begin in the most unexpected ways—and that true beauty really is more than skin deep.
