At only 20 years old, Alex Simpson is setting a remarkable precedent.
Originating from Nebraska, Alex was initially a healthy and content infant. However, her family faced an unexpected and devastating turn when, at two months old, she was diagnosed with a severe health condition.
Medical professionals informed her family that Alex had hydranencephaly, a rare congenital defect impacting brain development in infants.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, this condition is characterized by a baby ‘missing certain portions of their brain called the cerebral hemispheres,’ occurring in roughly one in 5,000 to one in 10,000 pregnancies.
In Alex’s particular situation, she was born without a brain, having only a small portion of it, roughly the size of half a pinky finger, located at the back of her cerebellum, as described by her father.
Faced with such a dire diagnosis, Alex’s parents, Shawn and Lorena Simpson, were given a gloomy forecast, being told that their daughter was not expected to survive beyond the age of four.
Against all odds, many regard Alex’s recent celebration of her 20th birthday as nothing short of a miracle.
In an interview with KETV, when queried about how Alex achieved this significant birthday, her devoted parents simply attributed it to ‘love.’
Shawn explained to the news outlet: “Twenty years ago we were scared, but faith, I think, is really what kept us alive.”
Due to her condition, Alex is unable to see or hear, but her family is adamant that she can sense their presence.
“You can see that when I went up there and talked to her a little bit ago, she was looking for me,” Shawn mentioned.
Alex’s younger sibling, SJ, shared similar thoughts. The teenager said: “Say somebody’s stressed around her. Nothing will even happen — it could be completely silent — but Alex will know. She’ll feel something.”
In a 2016 discussion marking Alex’s 10th birthday, her mother recalled the frightening early years of Alex’s life.
“It was terrible to not know if she was going to make it through the night,” Lorena expressed to Daily Mail.
“So for three years, I would sleep with her, making sure that she’s breathing, making sure that she’s moving.
“Every night I was praying and praying she’d make it through.”
During the same time, Shawn voiced his desire for people to recognize the value in Alex’s life, despite her disabilities.
He stated: “A lot of people think she’s just a vegetable, and we have heard tons of negative comments.
“It’s one of our missions in life to let people know that just because people are disabled doesn’t mean they don’t have a right to enjoy life as much as possible.”