Alex Simpson , a 20-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska, has defied doctors’ grim predictions by celebrating her twentieth birthday on November 4. Born with hydranencephaly , a rare condition where most of the brain’s hemispheres are missing, doctors initially told her parents she would likely not live past the age of four. When asked why they believe Alex has lived so much longer than expected, her parents simply said, “love”. With just a tiny portion of her cerebellum intact, Alex cannot see or hear, yet her family insists she senses the emotions and presence of those around her, calling her a true fighter.
Hydranencephaly explained
Hydranencephaly is a severe neurological disorder in which the cerebral hemispheres , the parts of the brain responsible for thought and coordination, are largely absent and replaced by cerebrospinal fluid. According to the Cleveland Clinic , it affects roughly one in 5,000 to 10,000 pregnancies and is typically fatal within the first year. The condition often arises due to stroke, infection, or damage to the fetal brain during pregnancy. Babies may appear normal at birth but later exhibit seizures, feeding difficulties, blindness, developmental delays, and poor growth.
Alex’s father, Shawn Simpson, described her condition to KETV:
“(Hydranencephaly) 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.”
Life beyond medical odds
Despite her condition, Alex’s family believes she is highly attuned to the world around her. Her 14-year-old brother, SJ, told KETV:
“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.”
Alex cannot see or hear, but her parents and siblings say she responds to their presence and emotions in ways that defy expectations. Her mother, Lorena Simpson, said simply, “She’s a fighter.”
Shawn Simpson reflected on the family’s journey:
“Twenty years ago we were scared, but faith, I think, is really what kept us alive.”
A medical miracle
Alex’s survival is extremely rare given the typical prognosis for hydranencephaly. While the disorder is incurable and life expectancy is generally limited, supportive care and vigilant attention have enabled her to live far longer than expected. For the Simpson family, every milestone is a testament to love, faith, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Hydranencephaly explained
Hydranencephaly is a severe neurological disorder in which the cerebral hemispheres , the parts of the brain responsible for thought and coordination, are largely absent and replaced by cerebrospinal fluid. According to the Cleveland Clinic , it affects roughly one in 5,000 to 10,000 pregnancies and is typically fatal within the first year. The condition often arises due to stroke, infection, or damage to the fetal brain during pregnancy. Babies may appear normal at birth but later exhibit seizures, feeding difficulties, blindness, developmental delays, and poor growth.
Not like I have any medical training or anything* but she looks pretty clearly like a human being to me
— Dr. Calum Miller (@DrCalumMiller) November 10, 2025
“Must be fed and cleaned at state expense” - what a disgusting and wretched way to frame the life of another human
Happy 20th birthday Alex 🎈🧸🥰
*Oh wait I do https://t.co/jcj1gVrVQa pic.twitter.com/v4oVF2rQTc
Alex’s father, Shawn Simpson, described her condition to KETV:
“(Hydranencephaly) 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.”
Life beyond medical odds
Despite her condition, Alex’s family believes she is highly attuned to the world around her. Her 14-year-old brother, SJ, told KETV:
“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.”
Alex cannot see or hear, but her parents and siblings say she responds to their presence and emotions in ways that defy expectations. Her mother, Lorena Simpson, said simply, “She’s a fighter.”
Shawn Simpson reflected on the family’s journey:
“Twenty years ago we were scared, but faith, I think, is really what kept us alive.”
A medical miracle
Alex’s survival is extremely rare given the typical prognosis for hydranencephaly. While the disorder is incurable and life expectancy is generally limited, supportive care and vigilant attention have enabled her to live far longer than expected. For the Simpson family, every milestone is a testament to love, faith, and the resilience of the human spirit.
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