Baby Born With Brain Outside Head Survives

HOUSTON - You were so touched by a story we brought you a few weeks ago, we want to share an update with you. The Asher family was planning both the birth and funeral of their baby, because of his rare condition. Their son has defied every odd stacked up against him.

Family, friends, and even some of our viewers sent John and Bethany Asher prayers and scraps of cloth, to add to their prayer quilt. Bethany and her mom lovingly sat side-by-side sewing it together, piece-by-piece, throughout her pregnancy.

Bethany hoped it would lend strength when she lost her son. Doctors expected him to take one breath when born, then leave this Earth forever. That's not what happened.

The baby was born on February 25th at 5:42 p.m.

"He just kind of squeaked when he was born. We didn't know what it was. We all turned and said - did he just take a breath? We watched his chest rise and he squeaked again," says proud dad, John Asher. Braden Ezekial, now lovingly nicknamed "Squeaker", was born 6-days ago, and is still very much alive.

"I lost it. I dropped on my knees and just prayed that he'd be okay, and so far he's doing really good."

Braden was born with a rare condition called a "Chiari 3 Malformation." Most of his brain, brain stem, and the main blood supply to his brain formed on the outside of his head.

"He's strong, very strong. Doctors are very surprised!" exclaims Braden's dad.

A baby has never survived this serious situation before. He wasn't expected to hear or see, but he can do both.

"We don't know how much he can see, because there's no way to test that, but he squints and flinches when we take pictures of him with a flash on the camera. We know he can hear, because when we make a loud noise in the room, Braden jumps," explains John.

Braden's loving family surrounds him with constant care and prayers, and workers from Hospice closely monitor him, in the comforts of home. Now, the family plans to let nature take its course.

"If he wants to fight, we're going to help him fight. If he's ready for the Lord to take him home, then he can go home," says John.

They do not plan to "hook him to machines" and put him through unnecessary pain.

"I want to stay optimistic because h'es doing so well, but doctors just don't know what to expect," says John.

He goes on to happily say, "It's absolutely amazing how much joy that he's brought to Beth. I have never seen her so happy."

No matter what happens, the Ashers will cherish every single unexpected moment.

"He is just an absolute miracle!" exclaims John.

Right now, Braden has a team of doctors in the Texas Medical Center, and even up in North Houston, who are waiting and watching to see how he does.

Then, they'll put a plan in place.

Bethany is from Huffman and they're staying with her family there right now, although they live in Oklahoma. They obviously didn't have any baby showers before Braden was born, since he wasn't expected to make it, so they have a few needs.

Their sister tells us this is their biggest needs:

1. Enfamil Lipil Premium formula
2. Socks
3. Beanie caps to cover his head
4. Tubes of Vaseline....they use this to put on Brayden's head and then wrap it in gauze to protects it from infection
5. Newborn and/or 0-3/mo clothes

Donated items can be sent to:
Brayden Asher C/O Seandee Asher 7211 Lilac Manor Lane Richmond, Texas 77469

If someone is interested in donations, John and Bethany ask that no funds be sent to them, but rather a donation be made in Brayden's name to Texas Children's or to the Chiari Center: www.chiaricenter.org/donate_online.php

They desperately want to find a cure and the only way to do that is through research.

Braden's Facebook page can be found under:
Brayden Asher Chiari. The little guy already has hundreds of friends!