Baby born with half his skull missing beats all odds to celebrate his second birthday
Jaxon Buell's parents were told to abort him after doctors found he suffers from a rare brain malfunction called Microhydranencephaly
A BOY born with half his skull missing is celebrating his second birthday today, despite his parents being told to abort him.
Jaxon Buell won the hearts of thousands across the world after his story was shared last year.
The two-year-old suffers from a rare brain malfunction called Microhydranencephaly.
Doctors picked it up on an ultrasound before he was born and advised mum Brittany and dad Brandon to consider terminating the pregnancy.
But thankfully, they decided against it and now the brave lad, who's earned the nickname Jax Strong, is thriving against all the odds.
Brandon, 31, told : "He is doing very well, he is very comfortable and very happy.
"He’s smiling all the time, he laughs, he’s working on different things, like how to keep his head upright.
"He still has his struggles where he throws up, he still has several seizures several times a day, he’s still on the smaller side at 13 pounds but he’s certainly developing."
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Jaxon has a staggering and even has his own website.
Speaking about Jaxon's mum Brittany, Brandon said: "She’s been amazing. She has so much love and patience in working with him on a daily basis.
"That’s truly one of the reasons why he is the way that he is because of the one on one interaction that she gives him as his mother. It’s made such a big difference in his life.
"I don’t know if he would still be with us and certainly he would not be doing the things that he’s doing without her loving and nurturing as his mother."
Last October we told of the heartwarming moment Jaxon told his mum he loved her for the very first time.
The couple, devout Christians from Florida, believe their strong faith has fuelled their hope for their son.
Brandon explained: "It has been the rock for our family helping us to celebrate every single day with Jaxon, whatever that day is, whether it’s a hard day or easy day for him.
"We certainly believe that he was created with a true path and a true purpose, to just be a light in this world."
The couple admit Jaxon may have a much shorter life than other children, but think of every day with their son as "a blessing".
Brandon said: "If and when that day happens and we no longer have Jaxon with us, it’ll certainly be an extremely tough day like it would be for any parent who has to say goodbye to their child far too early.
"But we would remember the true light that he has been to our family and how he has made us better people."
Disgustingly, the tot has been targeted by internet trolls, with Katie Hopkins causing a stir by calling him “it”.
Speaking about the hatred, Brandon said they try to ignore it, adding: "We are still in disbelief that they can write the things they have and press the send button to our family."
Luckily, the positive support has outweighed the nasty comments.
Over the past year the couple have set up the to raise funds for neurological research.
They are also releasing a book on September 6 about Jaxon’s journey, called Don’t Blink.
Brandon explained: "It just seemed like one of the most perfect formats to tell Jaxon’s story in and share how we learned through our little guy to be more patient, more loving, and enjoy every single day."
What is Microhydranencephaly?
The condition is a developmental abnormality that affects parts of the brain.
One in 4,859 babies in America are born with the condition each year, but the majority die either in the womb or shortly after birth.
It can be inherited by a recessive gene.
Symptoms include ridges on the scalp, intellectual disability and extreme developmental delay.
Treatment is based on the signs and symptoms present in each person.