Jaxon Buell’s parents were told by doctors they didn’t know how long the baby would survive after birth, according to Palm Beach Post.
The Florida boy, who was born with microhydranencephaly, which means he’s missing part of his brain and skull, celebrated his first birthday last month, despite what doctors had said, according to CBS News.
"Today is a miracle, in and of itself, that through everything Jaxon has already been through, through his diagnosis, by the doubts of several medical teams, and with his perceived prognosis, he is still here, strong as ever, only dependent on a feeding tube, and can hear, see, talk, smile, laugh, and is learning more every day, even how to say 'Mama' and 'Dadda' directly to us," Jaxon's father, Brandon Buell, wrote on Facebook on Aug. 27, Jaxon's birthday.
Doctors reportedly discovered something wrong in Jaxon’s head shape during a routine ultrasound while his mom, Brittany, was pregnant, but they didn’t know about the exact cause. It was after Jaxon was born that the baby’s parents were told he had a birth defect called anencephaly that occurs when the beginnings of the nervous system form incorrectly early on in the pregnancy.
“We know the reality behind this better than anyone else, what Jaxon is up against, and that his life is already miraculous at this point,” Brandon Buell wrote.
Over the past few months, Jaxon has reportedly experienced seizures and feeding complications, prompting the couple to fly to Boston to seek more treatment options. The Boston Children’s Hospital is reportedly where Jaxon’s parents were given the specific diagnosis of microhydranencephaly.
“It's really helpful to finally have a diagnosis that makes sense," Brandon told The Boston Globe.
“We came to Boston hoping to find a way to add something to the quality and comfort of his life."
To this day, there are reportedly people who judge Jaxon and his family.
“Truthfully, I will never understand how choosing to carry Jaxon and give him a chance to survive could ever be considered ‘selfish,’” wrote Brandon.