My name is Josie Wratten and I have congenital anosmia as a symptom of having Kallmann Syndrome (a hormone and smell disorder). I was born and raised in Yorkshire, England but have spent the past 20 years living in the US, in San Francisco and currently in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado.

Growing up I assumed I had a weak sense of smell as I could ‘sense’ certain things like mint and ammonia. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with Kallmann Syndrome at 19 that I learned these were not necessarily ‘smells’ but part of a reflex reaction in the brain, and also vapors landing on my tongue that I was tasting.
Born without one sense has, perhaps unconsciously, led me to careers focusing on my other senses, working as an architectural lighting designer and currently as a voice over artist.
I’m so happy to have found Fifth Sense and be part of this community to support fellow anosmics and bring awareness to these disorders that are greatly needed.