Teen who wasn’t expected to live 18 months graduates high school

When Braden West was born, doctors warned his parents that he was unlikely to survive. From the start, his life was marked by grim predictions, yet his story unfolded in ways that no one expected. Now 22 years old, Braden is celebrating life as a firefighter.

Braden was born with Pfeiffer syndrome Type 2, a rare condition that causes severe skull abnormalities and limited brain development. His mother, Cheri, learned of the diagnosis just weeks before his birth and was told his chances of survival were extremely low.

Despite preparing for the worst, everything changed when she held him for the first time. Doctors believed he would not live beyond 18 months, but Cheri prayed simply for more time with her son.

Braden’s condition was serious, and doctors sent him home after one month so he could be with family during what they expected to be his final days. Instead, he began to defy expectations and slowly showed signs of strength.

With constant support, Braden endured more than 30 surgeries, including extremely high-risk procedures. At one point, his parents signed DNR papers, but against all odds, he survived and continued to fight.

A close bond formed between Braden and nurse Michele Eddings Linn, who once feared she would lose him. Miraculously, he recovered and became her first hospice patient to leave alive, a connection that lasted for years.

Through therapy and determination, Braden learned to walk, graduated high school, and achieved his dream. Today, he serves as a volunteer firefighter, proving that resilience, faith, and perseverance can overcome even the greatest challenges.