Boy born without a brain lived to the age of 12

A boy who was born without a brain was miraculously able to live with a heartbreaking condition until the age 12.

Trevor Judge Waltrip was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 2001 under terrifying circumstances.

He suffered with a very rare condition which meant cerebral hemispheres of his brain were missing.

Known as hydranencephaly, the devastating congenital condition left only his brain stem, which allowed him to breathe, maintain a heartbeat, and respond to physical touch. He was unable to communicate verbally and see.

However, Trevor made it to his first birthday against all odds, as doctors referred to him as 'unique' for overcoming such awful conditions.

While it was initially thought he wouldn't last 12 weeks, he managed to live on for 12 years.

Trevor's lifespan was expanded through immense care from his family, who would use a feeding tube so he could eat.

Trevor Judge Waltrip lived without a brain until he died at the age of 12 (KSLA)

Doctors and therapists also provided him with regular physical stimulation to support his muscles and joints.

Despite such limitations, Trevor's mum Elizabeth said he remained 'so alert' and didn't like 'to be alone.'

"He'll sense that too," she told KSLA News 12 in 2014.

By 2005, the mother said Trevor was doing really well and was gaining weight.

From being able to grow 15 teeth, Elizabeth said: "He does bite, so he does know what he's doing."

She said that year: "I look at it like he's here for a reason and I thank God everyday for it."

Trevor passed away on 25 August 2014, and was a member of Shreveport Baptist Temple.

"He was loved by all who met him and full of life and personality," his obituary from the year of his death read.

Trevor's surviving brain stem meant he could live a longer life than expected (KSLA)

"He will be missed by all. He is survived by his mother Elizabeth Potter and her husband, Eric Potter, Sr.; father, Kevin E. Addie; sisters, Haley Pate, Dallas Waltrip, Abigail Potter; brothers, Joshua Waltrip, Eric Potter, Jr."

Since her son's death, Elizabeth said in 2014 that she found a support group for parents of babies like Trevor.

"Just to know about other babies out there like this because I thought I was the only one. It's really... I feel much better," she said at the time.

Commenting under his obituary online, one person said: "I just read Trevor's story in a news column. I was very touched."

"I never met him, but his story touched my soul," they added.

"To the family, we would like to send our condolences for the loss of your precious little one," someone else said.