An American woman defied medical expectations by celebrating her 20th birthday despite being born without a brain. Alex Simpson, from Omaha, Nebraska, has hydranencephaly, a rare condition where the brain’s hemispheres fail to develop. Doctors diagnosed her at two months old, initially expecting her to live only until the age of four.
Alex’s father, Shawn Simpson, credited their faith for sustaining them through the challenges. Hydranencephaly, affecting 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 10,000 pregnancies, is usually fatal within the first year. While Alex cannot see or hear, her family notes her deep emotional connection and sensitivity to their presence.
Her brother, SJ, expressed pride in being Alex’s sibling and has researched hydranencephaly to offer better support. The family provides round-the-clock care, adapting routines to meet Alex’s needs through touch, routine, and familiarity.
Describing Alex as resilient and a fighter, her mother, Lorena, emphasized love as the key to her longevity. The Simpsons believe Alex’s environment and the love surrounding her have contributed to her surpassing medical predictions.
The family views Alex as a “miracle” and plans to continue sharing her story to raise awareness about hydranencephaly and challenge assumptions about quality of life.