Doctors once predicted that he wouldn't make it past his mother's pregnancy, but Jaxon Buell exceeded their expectations by making it past his first birthday.
Afflicted with microhydranencephaly (MHAC), Jaxon was born without most of his skull and brain, yet he has been able to survive past expectations to 13 months now under the care of his parents Brandon and Brittany Buell.
Jaxon's parents were once told by doctors that he wouldn't have long to live. Both parents recalled being heartbroken over the news.
"I was devastated. It was heartbreaking because something I always wanted my whole life was happening, but then I was told there was a possibility it might be a stillborn," Brittany shared. "It took all the joy away from me."
Doctors gave them the option to terminate the pregnancy at 23 weeks, but the Buells, being devout Christians, refused, saying that it was not their decision to make.
"Who are we to decide? We were given a child; we are given a chance and we have to be his voice," Brandon explained the decision. "We did everything we could to give him a fighting chance and all he's done since being born is fight right back."
Jaxon, at 4 pounds, was born on Aug. 27, 2014 via Caesarian section. His first days were spent in the Winnie Palmer Hospital's neonatal intensive care. Doctors told the Buells that their baby would most likely never learn to walk, talk or even use his senses properly.
A pediatric neurologist gave new medicine for Jaxon months later at Boston Children's Hospital. This helped keep the restless baby calm and happy, but the Buells said that the possibility of losing Jaxon still haunts every waking moment.
"It is always in the back of my mind. I'm very aware that today may be his last day. I'm aware tomorrow he may not be here," Brittany said.
Brandon's colleagues pitched in to make a GoFundMe page calling for donations to help the family support Jaxon. The miracle baby's story then went viral, earning about $95,000 in donations and with close to 200,000 Facebook supporters.
Jaxon's parents think that it is nothing short of incredible and inspiring.
"Jaxon was talking up a storm these days, truly teaching himself how to communicate with us in his own way," Brandon posted on Facebook after celebrating his son's first birthday. "He has already touched and inspired more lives in one year than most of us ever will in our lifetime."
