When Braden West was born, doctors told his parents that he would not survive.
The little boy had all odds against him – but his life-threatening condition would lead to one miracle after another. Today, Braden is 22 and celebrates his life by becoming a firefighter.
Braden West was born with the rare craniofacial condition, Pfeiffer syndrome Type 2, which causes malformations of the skull and an underdeveloped brain. His mom Cheri understood something was wrong and was told about her son’s condition two weeks before he was born.
“I mean, he’s kicking in my belly and I’m praying for God to take him home,” Cheri told News Nation Now in 2020, adding:
Despite the ordeal, he maintains a lighthearted tone, jokingly praising the child for their “incredible stamina” and giving their “stellar performance” a “10/10” rating.
The video resonated with many, gaining over 3.7 million views and sparking debates about the challenges of flying with young children. Commenters shared mixed opinions, with some siding with Henry and expressing frustration at the parents’ decision to bring a small child on such a long flight.
One viewer wrote, “Kids don’t even remember anything from those trips. Why would anyone do that?”
Even some parents admitted that traveling with young children can be challenging for everyone involved. “I know some people don’t have the option, but I never took my babies or toddlers on flights. Ever. It’s painful for everyone,” one person commented.
Another shared an unconventional, albeit controversial, solution: “My mom used to give my brother and me cough syrup or something to make us drowsy. At least she was considerate.”
The incident also reignited the ongoing debate about child-free flights. Several commenters expressed a willingness to pay more for flights without children. Some airlines already offer child-free zones to cater to travelers seeking a quieter experience.
For example, budget airline Scoot features a “ScootinSilence” section, banning children under 12. Similarly, Japan Airlines allows passengers to view seat maps indicating where babies will be seated, enabling travelers to plan their seating accordingly.
While these options provide some relief, the debate remains divisive. Critics argue that child-free zones might not always be practical or fair. Others see them as a reasonable compromise for improving the flying experience for all passengers.