Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Nebraska Woman With No Brain Celebrates 20th Birthday, Defying Odds
Imagine a girl named Alex who was born with a condition where her brain didn't develop properly, and doctors thought she wouldn't live very long.
But Alex is a super strong fighter!
She just celebrated her 20th birthday, which is amazing because doctors didn't expect her to even reach age four.
Her parents, Shawn and Lorena, say that their love and faith helped Alex, and Alex's eye movements and reactions show she senses things around her.
Even her younger brother, SJ, is really proud of her and thinks she's special.
Alex shows us that sometimes people can overcome big challenges and surprise everyone.
Alex Simpson, a 20-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska, celebrated her birthday, defying doctors' predictions.
She was born with hydranencephaly, a rare condition where significant portions of the brain are missing and replaced by fluid.
Doctors initially estimated she would not survive past the age of four.
Her family attributes her longevity to love, faith, and her fighting spirit.
Despite not being able to see or hear, her family believes Alex can sense emotions and the presence of others.
- Who
- Alex Simpson, a 20-year-old woman with hydranencephaly.
- What
- Celebrated her 20th birthday, significantly surpassing the initial medical prognosis.
- When
- Recently, on November 4.
- Where
- Omaha, Nebraska.
- Why
- Defied medical expectations due to factors including parental love, faith, and her own resilience.
Medical Prognosis
Family's Perspective
Life Expectancy
Medical Prognosis
Doctors initially predicted Alex would not live past the age of four due to hydranencephaly.
Family's Perspective
Alex's family attributes her survival to love, faith, and her fighting spirit, celebrating her 20th birthday.
- Condition
- Hydranencephaly (severe neurological disorder where brain hemispheres are largely or entirely absent, replaced by cerebrospinal fluid)
- Initial Prognosis
- Not expected to live past age four
- Age Celebrated
- 20 years old
- Date of Birthday
- November 4
- Location
- Omaha, Nebraska
- Family Members
- Parents (Shawn and Lorena Simpson), Brother (SJ Simpson)
