Jaxon Emmett Buell, born on August 27, 2014, in Tavares, Florida, USA, faced tremendous odds from the very beginning. He was born with a severe brain and skull defect known as Microhydranencephaly, a rare congenital syndrome for which there is no known cure, leaving him missing most of his brain and skull.
Jaxon’s parents, Brittany and Brandon Buell, received a grim prognosis from doctors during the pregnancy. They were told that their son wouldn’t survive beyond a few weeks. In fact, at 17 weeks of pregnancy, Jaxon was diagnosed with this rare condition.
Due to the severe nature of his condition and the low chances of survival, doctors recommended an abortion at 23 weeks, given that most babies born with this syndrome do not live long.
Despite the medical advice and statistics, Jaxon’s parents were determined to give their son a chance at life. Their resolve to let him be born resonated with many, and Jaxon’s story touched the hearts of people worldwide.
Jaxon’s Facebook account, “Jaxon Strong,” gained over 200,000 followers, and a GoFundMe campaign received nearly $100,000 in donations to support Jaxon’s medical expenses and help the Buell family spend time with their son. Although Jaxon faced severe health challenges and relied on a feeding tube for nourishment, his parents saw him as a precious, albeit unique, addition to their family.
Jaxon’s father, Brandon, described him as a small, 13-month-old baby who weighed only about 5.4 kilograms at the time.
While Jaxon had significant health challenges, he was also like any other normal baby in many ways. He cried, expressed needs, and required diaper changes, making him almost perfect in the eyes of his loving parents.
Despite the criticism and challenges they faced for their decision to let Jaxon be born, the Buell couple remained steadfast in their belief that having a child is a choice and that the baby’s illness should not be a reason for abortion.
They maintained their strong faith and hope to give their son the best life possible, cherishing every moment with their little miracle.
