A young woman from Nebraska has stunned doctors and inspired millions by reaching her 20th birthday — despite being born without a brain.
Born With a Rare and Fatal Condition
Alex Simpson, from Omaha, Nebraska, was diagnosed at birth with an extremely rare neurological condition called hydranencephaly — a disorder where most of the brain’s cerebral hemispheres are missing and replaced with fluid.
Her father, Shawn Simpson, explained to local outlet KETV News that, “Technically, she has about half the size of my pinky finger of her cerebellum — that’s all that’s there.”
Doctors initially told the family that Alex wouldn’t live past four years old.
But twenty years later, Alex is not just alive — she’s surrounded by love, faith, and a family who never gave up on her.
“Love Keeps Her Alive”
When asked what keeps Alex fighting, both of her parents gave the same answer: “Love.”
Although Alex cannot see or hear, her parents say she still recognizes their presence.
“You can see that when I talk to her, she moves her eyes as if looking for me,” said Shawn.
Her parents believe that faith and emotional connection have kept her strong through every challenge.
“Twenty years ago, we were scared,” Shawn said. “But faith — faith is what kept us alive.”
A Brother’s Pride
Alex’s younger brother, SJ, 14, says she has shaped his entire life.
“When people ask about my family, the first thing I start with is Alex — my disabled sister,” he said proudly.
Like his parents, he believes Alex can sense emotions around her.
“If someone’s stressed, even if it’s completely silent, she’ll feel it,” he said. “She just knows.”
The Science Behind Hydranencephaly
According to the Cleveland Clinic, hydranencephaly affects between 1 in 5,000 and 1 in 10,000 pregnancies, and most infants diagnosed with the condition do not survive their first year.
The fact that Alex has lived two full decades makes her case extraordinarily rare — and a testament to the power of human resilience, parental love, and faith.
Alex’s story is more than a medical marvel — it’s a reflection of how emotional strength, faith, and family support can defy science itself.
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