Miracle Baby Jaxon Defies All Odds and Survives Against Expectations

What started as joyful news for Kelly Skelton and Chris Ball soon turned into heartbreak when they were told their unborn son wouldn’t survive after birth due to a rare condition. Yet, 17 days after his birth, baby Jaxon Henry Peter Ball is alive, defying all expectations, as his parents hope to bring him home soon.

The couple from Grimsby had been overjoyed in February when they found out they were expecting. Kelly, who has an underactive thyroid and polycystic ovary syndrome, had feared she couldn’t have more children. They quickly shared the happy news with their families, adding to their blended family of four children from previous relationships, told Yorkshire Live.

Months went by without issue until a 23-week scan revealed a potential cleft lip and, worse, signs of a more serious condition. Kelly and Chris were devastated when doctors suspected Edwards syndrome, a chromosome disorder often fatal within a baby’s first year of life. However, further tests showed an even graver condition: Patau’s syndrome, a rare disorder that affects a baby’s development.

Kelly recalls the shock, saying, “We were wrong. We received a phone call 5 days later informing us that our baby had a high chance risk of having Patau’s, not Edwards – which we found out was even worse.”

Though the couple was offered the option to terminate the pregnancy due to the severe diagnosis, they chose to continue, determined to meet their son. “We wanted a chance to meet our baby boy and to surround him with love and make as many memories as possible,” Kelly shared.

Doctors prepared the couple for the worst, warning that Jaxon might not survive more than a few hours if born alive at all. “We spent weeks and weeks being prepared for the worst case… discussing what was considered reasonable versus too invasive,” Kelly said. Despite the grim outlook, Jaxon was born on September 24 after 8 ½ hours of labor, weighing a healthy 6 pounds. “There were no initial obvious issues aside from his cleft lip and palate, and he was instantly perfect to us.”

Now, at 17 days old, Jaxon continues to surprise everyone. His heart, brain, and kidney scans have all returned to normal. His cleft palate presents a challenge, as it affects his airway, but with a nasogastric feeding tube and careful monitoring, the family is hopeful they may soon be able to take him home.

Kelly and Chris are now committed to raising awareness about Patau’s and Edwards syndromes. “We are so in love with him and in complete awe… he is writing his own story and surprising everyone by defying the odds,” Kelly said. The couple credits the incredible support from Grimsby’s Diana Princess of Wales Hospital and the team at Andy’s Hospice for helping them through their journey.

Kelly’s message to other families facing similar diagnoses is clear: “Please reach out… there is much support out there.”