3S. The Boxer Baby: 1 pound, 1 ounce. He just knocked out death. Barrett was a 26-week preemie nicknamed ‘The Puncher.’ Now 19 months, he’s talking and standing—a miracle in motion.
Forgive parents Roman and Carli Brasfield if they get a bit emotional lately. The last few weeks—spanning Christmas and New Year’s—have delivered the family an incredible, profound blessing.
Their baby with “a puncher’s chance” has been fiercely punching his way back to health.
It all began on June 6th, 2024. Baby Barrett came into the world far too early, arriving at just 26 weeks and weighing a tiny 1 lb., 1 oz. He was impossibly small.
Roman and Carli were understandably overwhelmed. For many long, difficult months, Barrett’s survival was measured day by fragile day in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
💪 A Tiny Boxer
As he fought and gained a few ounces here and there, the nurses noticed something remarkable. Barrett would frequently fling his tiny arms forward—almost as if he were boxing.
He earned the nickname: the preemie with a puncher’s chance. And he has lived up to that powerful title every single day since.
Homewood, AL’s Barrett Brasfield is now an astonishing 19 months old. He still faces major medical challenges, including a tracheostomy, a ventilator (22 hours a day), and a feeding tube.
🗣️ New Milestones and Hope
But the progress is staggering: he is starting to talk, standing up, and getting ready to walk. These are monumental milestones for a child who started life fighting for every breath.
“Barrett gurgles words all day,” Carli shared excitedly. The family is working hard to wean him off the feeding tube, and he is now successfully eating some baby food orally.
Barrett Brasfield is officially winning the fight for his life.
He fought back aggressively against sepsis, dangerous infections, and a myriad of health issues. He has transformed from a critical infant into a happy, developing baby with, hopefully, decades of good news ahead.
“Barrett’s favorite word is Ga-ga,” Carli said, her voice clearly rising with pride and immense joy.
