Woman Born Without Brain Celebrates 20th Birthday: A Remarkable Medical Survival Story

Alex Simpson celebrated her 20th birthday on November 4, defying medical expectations that have surrounded her since birth.

Born with hydranencephaly, a rare condition where most of the brain's hemispheres are absent, Alex Simpson from Omaha, Nebraska has surpassed doctors' initial predictions that she wouldn't live beyond age four. When asked about the reason for her remarkable longevity, her parents offered a simple explanation: "love," according to KETV reports.

Hydranencephaly is an extremely rare neurological disorder characterized by the absence of the cerebral hemispheres, which are replaced by cerebrospinal fluid. These brain regions typically control thought processes and coordination. Most individuals with this condition do not survive beyond their first year, making Alex's two decades of life what her family describes as a "medical miracle."

Her father, Shawn Simpson, explained the severity of her condition: "It means that her brain is not there, not half a brain, her whole brain. Technically, she has about half the size of my pinky finger of her cerebellum in the back part of her brain, but that's all that's there."

While Alex cannot see or hear, her family believes she possesses a remarkable ability to sense their presence and emotional states. Her 14-year-old brother SJ shared an example: "Say somebody's stressed around her. Nothing will even happen — it could be completely silent — but Alex will know. She'll feel something. Like, if my grandma's hurting, in her back, she'll radiate off of it – it's crazy."

Shawn and Lorena Simpson, Alex's parents, attribute her survival against medical odds to their faith and unconditional love, describing their daughter as a "fighter."

"Twenty years ago, we were scared but faith, I think, is really what kept us alive," Shawn reflected.

Understanding hydranencephaly is important for contextualizing Alex's remarkable story. This rare brain disorder occurs during fetal development, typically due to vascular issues or trauma, resulting in severe physical and cognitive challenges. The Cleveland Clinic reports it affects between 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 10,000 pregnancies and is generally fatal within the first year.

The condition often results from stroke, infection, or damage to the fetal brain during pregnancy, leading to the destruction of brain tissue. While babies may appear normal at birth, they later exhibit symptoms including seizures, feeding difficulties, growth problems, blindness, and developmental delays.

Diagnosis typically requires imaging such as MRI or CT scans. Despite there being no cure and a significantly reduced life expectancy, some children like Alex can live longer with supportive care.