In many ways, Tomm Tennent was an incredibly unique person. From the moment he arrived in the world, everyone around him knew he was different from other babies. When he was born, he had excess skin, sufficient enough to cover a five-year-old kid.
Even the doctors were baffled when they saw his wrinkled appearance, as they had never seen anything like it in their medical career. Tomm’s parents, Debbie and Geoff Tennent were also flabbergasted when they saw their baby and didn’t know how to react.
Debbie and Geoff Tennent | Source: YouTube.com/60 Minutes Australia
From his incredible birth experience to his life after that, Tomm and his parents experienced a journey unlike any other. It all started when Debbie and Geoff welcomed their son in a South East Australia hospital in 1993.
Eventually, after years of trying and looking for a clue, they stumbled upon something astonishing.
At the time, they didn’t know how special their baby boy would be. Before Tomm’s birth, his parents couldn’t have guessed that their child would go on to mystify medical professionals. But when they went in for the ultrasounds, they discovered nothing was as expected.
Initially, the Tennents struggled to determine whether or not they would keep the baby. But after discussing the matter, it didn’t take them long to decide that regardless of the consequences, they would go through with the pregnancy.
Tomm Tennent pictured as a baby | YouTube.com/60 Minutes Australia
But while Debbie and Geoff were prepared for everything, they were oblivious to how serious their child’s condition could be. They were taken aback and rendered speechless when they laid eyes on their infant son for the first time.
“When [Tomm] came out, I was quite shocked…I didn’t think a human, or a little baby, could ever look like that,” recalled Geoff about the moment he first saw his son. Of the instance when her baby was placed on her chest, Debbie recounted:
“My heart came up to my throat.”
But at the same time, Debbie was overcome with motherly sentiments and said it felt lovely to cuddle her son. Despite their shocked initial reaction, the Tennents embraced their son, who had too much skin covering almost every inch of his body.
A close up of Tomm Tennent’s wrinkled legs and feet | Source: YouTube.com/60 Minutes Australia
Medical Mystery & the Challenges of Growing Up
Tomm’s never-before-seen skin condition and wrinkled look baffled his parents and doctors. Since they could not decipher the reason behind his excess skin, they didn’t know how to treat it.
After much contemplation, medical experts hoped that, over time, the boy would grow into his skin. But given the youngster’s unique appearance, researchers felt triggered to explore his case further and solve the rather complex genetic puzzle.
Debbie Tennent holds her son, Tomm Tennent, while petting a Shar Pei | Source: YouTube.com/60 Minutes Australia
Tomm was no stranger to hospital visits and stayed in a medical center for two and a half months. There, he had to undergo multiple tests and scans, which were reportedly insufficient in helping the researchers crack the code of his mysterious condition.
Andrew Ramsden, Tomm’s pediatrician, admitted that his case was incredibly challenging because he was the first baby born on record with excess skin, and the doctors had nowhere to turn to for guidance.
Accompanying their little boy on his many doctor’s visits and staying with him in the hospital for months wasn’t easy for the Tennents. But they found their strength and courage from looking at their sweet son, who was a happy tot and didn’t know the magnitude of his condition.
Tomm Tennent is pictured enjoying a bath | Source: YouTube.com/60 Minutes Australia
As time passed, Tomm’s doctors continued researching his condition, hoping to find something helpful. Eventually, after years of trying and looking for a clue, they stumbled upon something astonishing.
Medical professionals drew similarities between Tom’s appearance and the Shar Pei, a Chinese dog breed. They learned that the youngster’s excess skin was due to an oversupply of Hyaluronic Acid, which was 100 times higher than usual.
The same was true for Shar Pei puppies. Provided that the acid levels decreased in Shar Peis as they grew older and their appearance improved, the medical experts hoped for the same for Tomm.
Tomm Tennent pictured combing his hair while looking in the mirror. | Source: YouTube.com/60 Minutes Australia
Fortunately, as the doctors had anticipated, time was the best healer in Tomm’s case. Growing up, the Australian child received immense love and support from his parents. But he also experienced a multitude of challenges.
“Don’t judge people by what they looked like,” noted a young Tomm. Although he had always believed nothing was wrong with him, not everyone reciprocated his sentiments.
People continued to tease him, and he struggled to make friends at school. He felt hurt when kids refused to play with him or include him in their groups.
But instead of retreating and being demotivated by other people’s behavior toward him, Tomm began participating in games and made many friends. Soon, his school experience remarkably improved, and people started seeing him differently.
A young Tomm Tennent | Source: YouTube.com/60 Minutes Australia
While the Tennents were pleased to see their son move forward in life, some memories were etched in their minds. Debbie recollected an incident in a local bakery with Tomm when a woman approached her, questioning her decision to take her son out in public.
But that wasn’t all. The lady reportedly told Debbie that her son “should be kept hidden.” Devastated by the woman’s comments, the Australian mother didn’t know what to say to her then but vowed to care for her son and raise him in the best possible manner.
And as time would tell, Geoff and Debbie felt pure joy and pride seeing their son grow up. They were proud of him for being a good boy and excelling in every aspect of life, including school.
In an exclusive interview in 2003, the then-11-year-old Tomm said he saw a “kind, loving person” whenever he looked in the mirror. He confessed he wasn’t concerned about how his peers viewed him because they didn’t care about his appearance.
From the beginning, Debbie and Geoff taught their son to accept and love himself just as he was. The couple believed that real beauty came from within, and they instilled the same values in their beloved boy.
Their efforts paid off because when Tomm was asked if he would change anything about himself, he responded, “Probably nothing.” With his parents’ affection and his inner strength, Tomm became an exceptionally kind and lovable person.
The health issues of Tom Selleck
Tom Selleck is one of the lucky few who has made it big in Hollywood. He is very talented and lucky to have made it this far in the business. While many people dream of working in Hollywood, very few truly make it. Tom Selleck is one of the prominent outliers.
For this talent, being chosen to play the lead in Magnum P. I. was a huge break. He received five Emmy nominations for the enormously popular show, and in 1985 he even won one.
Prior to being well-known, he had a few small appearances in TV shows and motion pictures. V. programs, took part in The Dating Game, and made appearances in commercials. Though he now calls the episode “humiliating and unpleasant,” it’s clear that it did not stop him from reaching his objectives.
Magnum P. Me and My Friends is Tom Selleck’s best-known composition. His career did not start off well; he was turned down for jobs and expelled from talent programs.
Despite this, he persisted, and in the end, he succeeded. Selleck says that his success is due to the fact that he didn’t find a respectable job until he was 35 years old. He consequently became an actor that audiences were willing to recognize as a leading guy.
Tom Selleck has stated that he would have given up acting completely if Magnum P. I. hadn’t been employed. He revealed this in an interview, stating that just as he was about to give up on his acting career, the job chance presented itself. Lastly, I would want to express my gratitude to Magnum P. Selleck for being able to carry on with his job in his passion.
One more reason for Selleck’s popularity is that he portrayed Frank Reagan in the TV show Blue Bloods. It has been decided to renew the show for a thirteenth season, and he has been playing this part since 2010.
Selleck admits that completing the majority of his stunts over the years has damaged his body and injured his back. Additionally, his physical fitness has declined. He still contributes significantly to Blue Bloods and is one of its main stars in spite of this.
Work in film stunts requires taking chances. You do, however, spend a lot of time inactively. For instance, after performing a combat scene, you might need to take a few minutes to sit in your chair.
This could be hard on your body if you’re not with someone to keep you warm and limber. Eventually, all that erratic movement might wear you out.
The actor is dedicated to maintaining his health and puts in a lot of effort on his property in Ventura, California. He also wants to share with his daughter his intense love of horses.
It’s amazing that Selleck and Jillie Mack are still together after 35 years of marriage. Because he always puts his family first, Selleck has a close bond with them.
It took a while to get off the train, according to Selleck’s 2012 story of leaving Magnum to raise a family. But he did not forget to highlight how the ranch had helped him find life’s balance.
His wife continued, “We both felt it was the best place for our daughter to grow up in.” We send our warmest regards to Tom Selleck.
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