Woman Born Without Brain Celebrates 20th Birthday, Defying Doctors' Expectations

In a remarkable feat, an American woman born without a brain has celebrated her 20th birthday this month. Alex Simpson, from Omaha, Nebraska, was diagnosed with the rare neurological condition of hydranencephaly when she was just 2 months old. Doctors had initially told her parents that she was healthy, but later discovered that her brain's hemispheres had not formed properly.

At the time, Alex's parents, Shawn and Lorena Simpson, were informed that she would not survive beyond the age of 4. However, their unwavering faith and the loving environment they created for their daughter have allowed her to defy medical expectations. Today, Alex has only about half the size of a pinky finger's worth of her cerebellum, but her family describes her as a "fighter" and a "miracle."

Alex's 14-year-old brother, SJ, is proud to have her as his sister and has spent time researching her condition to better understand how to support her. He marvels at Alex's ability to sense the emotions of those around her, even if she cannot see or hear them. The Simpsons believe that Alex's survival is a testament to the power of love and the importance of creating a nurturing environment for those with special needs.