Josiah David Alexander was born on February 25th, 2017 at McLaren Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. He was born with three birth defects, Microtia, under development of the outer ear, Atresia, under development of the inner ear, and Hemifacial Microsomia, a defect resulting in the tissues of one side of the face being smaller than the tissues of the other side. The Microtia and Atresia defects have left him with a peanut shaped ear with no hearing ability.
Despite his defects, he enjoys playing with his growing collection of Hot Wheels, watching the same movie until his parents have memorized every line, and spending time with his mother, Ashley Alexander, father, Mitchell Alexander, and little brother, Henry Alexander. His active life and play style leave many visitors surprised by his defects. On the other hand, his defects have caused him to have a harder time learning basic phrases and commands. Fortunately, he can communicate his wants and needs with simple phrases such as “no want,” “mine,” and “do it again.” He can say the names of family members such as “Daddy,” “Mommy,” “Nana,” and “Jakey,” the family dog.
“It took him a little bit to learn how to babble as a baby and that was a bit concerning. But once he learned a few words, we were less scared,” Ashley recalls Josiah’s learning. “He’s really good with please and thank you. Although his please sounds more like peas.”
His parents have begun to prepare him for public schooling with in-home speech and hearing therapy. In the next few months, they plan on enrolling him in a Head Start program in Greenville, Michigan. “We really hope it’ll help him learn. Plus, it’ll be good for him to spend time with other kids his age,” his father, Mitchell Alexander, had to say about his future schooling.
Regardless of the unique difficulties the Alexander family has faced in the two and a half years since Josiah has been born, they have loved every minute of it and wouldn’t change it for the world. For his parents, and the rest of his beloved family, Josiah’s “peanut ear” has come to be known as just another part of life.
#1 Although Josiah Alexander can only able to hear out of his left year, he enjoys watching movies and television shows because of the bright colors and friendly interactions, Gowen, Michigan, November 30, 2019. His TV watching habits have led him to adopt numerous quirks, such as saying "meow" at random times and posing as a ninja during play time.
#2 Mitchell Alexander of Greenville, Michigan laughs at a joke his wife, Ashley Alexander of Mesick, Michigan, makes from across the room, while zipping up Henry Alexander's onesie after a diaper change. The family dog, Jake, stays close to Josiah Alexander, waiting for the toddler to drop food. Mitchell often calls Jake a vacuum for all the food Josiah drops. "He's very helpful," he laughs.
#3 Josiah Alexander plays on the playground near his apartment complex, Stone Crest, while his dog, Jake is taken out to use the bathroom, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, December 10, 2019. He loves being outside, no matter the temperature. Although he is unable to roam freely at his home, he is able to roam freely when he is visiting his grandparents, Dana Brom of Gowen, Michigan, and Fred Alexander of Greenville, Michigan, every weekend.
#4 Josiah Alexander of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, stares out the window, crying, as his parents, Ashley Alexander of Mesick, Michigan and Mitchell Alexander of Greenville, Michigan, leave for a lunch date after church, November 30th, 2019. Mitchell and Ashley are rarely able to spend quality time together without their two children, Josiah and Henry Alexander.
#5 Mitchell Alexander tickles Josiah before sending him to bed. Due to Mitchell's full-time job in the state government, he is unable to spend as much time with Josiah as he wishes. He makes up the time by spending time with Josiah doing what he wants, such as playing with toys and watching "an excessive amount of Paw Patrol and Power Rangers."
#6 Ashley Alexander breastfeeds Josiah's brother, Henry Alexander. Ashley tried to breastfeed Josiah, but decided to pump milk instead. "Breastfeeding with Josiah was very difficult. We struggled with latch issues... Henry, however, took to breastfeeding as soon as he could," Ashley shares.
#7 Josiah Alexander quietly watches a cartoon as the rest of his family ends the day around midnight, November 30, 2019, Gowen, Michigan. Josiah's love for playing and cartoons leaves him unaware of what time it is. "He's so stubborn. When we try to wrestle him into bed it causes more problems than it solves," Ashley Alexander says.