Jaxon Strong: The Florida 2-Year-Old Miracle Baby Offers Hope To Zika Mothers Around The World

Jaxon Strong Buell is preparing to celebrate his second birthday. He is talking a bit and learning to swim and crawl. Jaxon is a huge miracle stuffed into a tiny 12-pound body. Though small, he’s making significant gains every day. He is also making a significant impact on the world.

This miracle child is definitely exceeding all expectations. It is hard to imagine that two years ago, doctors offered absolutely no hope of his survival. Abortion was discussed, even as late as 26 weeks, according to the Daily Mail. Once he was born, doctors were even less hopeful suggesting that the parents bring their child home to die, as Jaxon’s father, Brandon Buell, told 12 News.

“They expected him to pass away. In fact, they told us to simply take him home because they expected him to pass away.”

Happy 23-months, Jaxon! Still growing and still beating the odds. This is what strength looks like! #JaxonStrong pic.twitter.com/dcPBM8NrHr

— JAXON STRONG (@jaxon_strong) July 28, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzClFZrqQOk

Jaxon Strong was born with microhydranencephaly. Although his condition is not related to the Zika virus, Jaxon has a rare form of microencephaly that is very similar to the microencephaly impacting babies born in equatorial regions like Brazil. The Buell child is older than the Zika babies, and he perhaps offers a ray of hope to those frightened mothers.

The Zika virus threatens to make microencephaly commonplace, with perhaps as many as 14 pregnant women in 100 infected with Zika giving birth to children with microcephaly, according to CBS News. The number seems to be between 1 and 14 percent. South American countries are suffering under the impact of the disease that threatens the future for those living in warm tropical regions. So many children are being born with this disease, and perhaps Jaxon has a calling on his young life to lead the way for accepting these kids.

Jaxon Strong Buell’s parents, Brandon and Brittany Buell, would not give up, and they did not take him home to let him die. The baby, eventually dubbed as Strong on social media, received care at a hospital that was ready to give up on him. He saw those machines that kept him alive leave the room one by one as he gained strength.

Miracles do happen. Jaxon Strong is living proof. Approximately one in 4,859 infants born in the United States are born with anencephaly of some type, and nearly all of them die shortly after birth, according to the CDC (via the Daily Mail). Although born with parts of his brain and skull missing, this child is thriving under the care of his loving Christian parents, who have that kind of faith that will never give up on their child. One year ago, Brandon Buell told the Daily Mail that J. Strong was serving a greater purpose than most.

“No matter who you are or what you believe in, it’s clear that Jaxon’s tiny footprints will have a lasting impression on this world, and that he has already touched and inspired more lives in one year than most of us ever will in our lifetime.”

Jaxon is working on his swimming, and enjoying it! #JaxonStrong pic.twitter.com/UGYH2JKv63

— JAXON STRONG (@jaxon_strong) June 26, 2016

Jaxon Strong also has his critics, though, as his parents have used social media to raise awareness of his condition. As recently as one year ago, the Daily Mail reports that Jaxon’s parents were trolled on social media by people saying J. Strong should have been aborted. They criticized Brandon and Brittany for turning to GoFundMe for financial help.

Learning all the time, and our little guy definitely enjoys it! #JaxonStrong pic.twitter.com/i1Q2yGFrrS

— JAXON STRONG (@jaxon_strong) May 29, 2016

The miracle child is still getting stronger, and his parents’ faith is not going to waver because of social media trolls. Overall, this strong little baby has been an inspiration to the world. Hope is perhaps waning for a lot of people as cynicism and fear reign, but this kid just keeps getting stronger, and he has become a symbol of hope for many.

Jaxon Strong continues to be full of surprises. The miracles just kept on happening. Doctors said he’d never walk, talk, see or hear, but J. Strong is talking a bit, saying “hey,” “mommy,” “daddy,” and even “I love you.” That means he is responding to the voices of others. He’s even spending some time in the pool and learning to crawl. Overall, his progress is tremendous.

Jaxon Strong Buell is a miracle child offering hope to Zika mothers and others who can relate to his struggle for life.

[Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images]