Braden, a teenager who wasn’t expected to live past 18 months, has defied all expectations and graduated from high school. Look how he looks today and how he lives. Read More
Braden’s mother implored the Lord to ease his pain by bringing him home after he was born. But it’s difficult not to cry when you see this gorgeous boy 22 years later. Braden West’s parents were informed that he would not live long after birth. He had Pfeiffer Syndrome Type 2, a hereditary illness characterized by the early fusion of many skull bones, which prevents normal skull growth and affects the look of the head and face. This was the reason why.
The scan revealed irregularities two weeks before their son’s birth, and the parents were devastated to learn of his condition. As expected, they got extremely apprehensive and felt as if their world had shattered into a million pieces.
In 2020, mom Cheri said, “I mean, he’s kicking in my womb and I’m begging God to take him home,” adding, “It appeared that he wasn’t going to have the back of his head.” He appeared to be entering the world with teeth. It appeared to be a terrible situation.
When Braden was born, his mother immediately connected with him and was heartbroken when she learned she couldn’t help him. It was projected that he would not survive more than 18 months.
Cheri recalls pleading with God to provide her access to him for a brief period of time.
“There’s a picture of him when he was born and it shows his skull very well, a distinct clover shape,” Cheri told The Owensboro Times. They recognized he wasn’t doing well and wouldn’t live. To keep him from dying in a hospital, we brought him home to see everyone.
To everyone’s surprise, Braden began defying the odds. He unexpectedly began showing indications of improvement.
He had around 30 treatments, including a tracheotomy at the age of three, and once underwent an operation with a 10% survival rate, Cheri noted. “We had to say our farewells, sign the DNR papers, and everything else. Instead of giving him bad news, the doctors revealed that he was fine.
“What they told us is exactly what a mother does not want to hear. What you can suffer with faith in God is incredible. Cheri stated, “Everyone who knew or heard about us was praying for us.”
In addition to the love and care supplied by his parents and other family members, Braden received steadfast support from a nurse named Michele Eddings Linn.
Linn was by his side when he was about to die. “I just remember, you know, praying, ‘Lord just either take him home or make him better,’” says Linn.”Because nobody could watch him go through this again,”
Fortunately, he lived, and Linn stated Braden was the only patient she had ever permitted to leave hospice care.
Unbelievably, Braden thrived and even finished high school. He asked Linn to capture his photographs on his graduation day, and everyone who saw them was impacted by the event.
In contrast to how I sobbed 17 years ago when his time on Earth was coming to an end, I now mourn because he is graduating from high school and his life is barely beginning.Linn left a remark on a Facebook article.
Cheri, his mother, told The Epoch Times, “Watching him become this amazing young man has been emotional, but I’m also so proud.”
“Seeing him walk the line brought back every emotion I had felt in the first few months of his life. I couldn’t believe he was doing this. He wasn’t supposed to be able to use a pencil, speak, see, or hear. So, here we are.
Braden described his graduation as amazing since he was whisked away by helicopter right into the middle of one of his favorite musicians, Cam Thomspon, performing live.
It wasn’t always easy, but I feel good knowing I worked so hard to get to this point,” Braden said.
He not only finished his education, but he also secured his dream job as a firefighter.
Braden, now 22, became a volunteer firefighter for the Moseleyville Fire Department.
“Don’t give up…” This exceptional young man who defied all expectations encourages, “Keep climbing the mountain, no matter how difficult it is, because the view from the summit is breathtaking.
