Jaxon defied odds to live to his fifth birthday. Photo / Facebook
Jaxon defied odds to live to his fifth birthday. Photo / Facebook
A US boy whose will to survive and thrive inspired people around the world has died at the age of 5.
Jaxon Buell died on April 1 "peacefully and comfortably", said his parents Brandon and Brittany Buell.
Jaxon was born with a rare brain malfunction called Microhydranencephaly, a severe development abnormality.
Brandon Buell told Today Jaxon's death had nothing to do with coronavirus and the little boy had entered into hospice care after showing signs his body was slowing down.
"He passed away in my arms and surrounded by his parents and family who were loving on him and providing comfort and endless hours of snuggles throughout his final days," he said.
"Ultimately, Jaxon passed away from his body and organs shutting down, as is common with children like him.
"This had absolutely nothing to do with the Covid-19 virus, but was something we always knew from the beginning would likely happen. We just didn't know when."
Jaxon gained more than 200,000 followers on Facebook as his parents shared his life online. Photo / Facebook
Buell said Jaxon's legacy would be his "strength and his amazing sweet spirit" as well as his ability to make everyone who knew his story better.
The Buells also paid tribute to Jaxon in a series of Instagram posts, with Buell writing that he "can't wait to see you again some day in your perfect form, running and laughing in heaven".
"Enjoy the head start, son. You earned it by being the most perfect, the sweetest, and the strongest little boy ever."
Jaxon defied medical odds to be born at 37 weeks after his parents decided not to terminate the pregnancy after his condition was picked up on an ultrasound.
"After our second ultrasound at 17 weeks, when we found out he was a boy, we knew something was up when the ultrasound technician went towards his head and went very quiet," Buell told Mail Online in 2015.
"Brittany got the call the next day from the doctors saying there was a concern with the MRI results. She was in tears and told me there was an issue with the baby. Of course, I lost it at work so they sent me home and the rest of the day was a blur truly."
Doctors believe his brain stopped developing just a few weeks after conception.
After he was born, Jaxon soon became known as Jaxon Strong as the Buells shared photos of their son online, gaining more than 200,000 Facebook followers.
His family documented his journey and shared pictures which showed off his bright blue eyes and wide smile, as well as precious moments like when Jaxon said "I love you" to his mum for the first time in 2015.
