When Braden West entered the world, doctors gave his parents the devastating news: he wasn’t expected to survive.
Braden was born with Pfeiffer syndrome Type 2, a rare and life-threatening condition that causes severe skull deformities and impairs brain development. Despite these grim odds, his life has been nothing short of miraculous. Today, at 22 years old, Braden is not only surviving—he’s thriving as a proud firefighter.
His mother, Cheri, sensed something was wrong even before his birth. Just two weeks prior to delivering Braden, she was told about his condition.
“I could feel him moving in my belly, and I was begging God to take him peacefully,” Cheri said in a 2020 interview with News Nation Now, recalling those painful days.
Doctors feared Braden might be born without the back of his head, and early scans suggested he could even be born with teeth—adding to the fear and confusion. But when Cheri finally saw her son, she formed an instant and unbreakable bond.
Still, the prognosis remained bleak. With Pfeiffer syndrome Type 2 being so severe, doctors didn’t expect Braden to live beyond 18 months. Feeling powerless, Cheri prayed desperately to have just a little more time with him.
She remembers a photo taken shortly after his birth, which showed his uniquely shaped skull. “He had what they called a cloverleaf skull,” she said. “At one month old, they let us take him home—not because he was doing better, but because they thought he wouldn’t make it. They wanted him to spend his last days surrounded by family instead of in a hospital bed.”
But Braden surprised everyone.
With his family’s unwavering support, he began to show signs of strength. Over the years, he underwent more than 30 surgeries, had a tracheotomy at only three months old, and once faced a procedure with only a 10% survival chance.
“We signed DNR papers, said our goodbyes,” Cheri said. “Then the doctors came out and told us he had pulled through.”
Braden’s journey wasn’t one he walked alone. In addition to the love of his family, he developed a special bond with nurse Michele Eddings Linn, who played a key role during his early years when his health was especially fragile.
Braden’s story is one of perseverance, love, and faith—proof that miracles can happen, even in the face of the most overwhelming odds.