Posted on 08/03/2014 3:49:17 PM PDT by windcliff
One twin uses an iPad, plays video games and dances to Michael Jackson tunes. The other has significant, possibly permanent, problems walking and talking.
The delicate separation 10 years ago of conjoined twins from the Philippines wasn't perfect, but the boys' mother says their very survival is reason enough to celebrate the anniversary.
"When they were born, the doctors at home told me, 'You have to choose which one is to live,'" Arlene Aguirre said. "I said, 'I cannot choose that.' The doctors here did not ask me to choose."
The boys, now 12, were born joined at the top of their heads, unable to sit up, stand straight, eat normally — or see each other.
Once their case was accepted by the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, leaving Carl and Clarence conjoined was not an option.
"If they hadn't come to us when they did, they would have just withered away and died," said Dr. Robert Marion, the boys' pediatrician, who plans to be at the hospital Monday to mark the separation anniversary. "I am extremely proud of having been a part of this. I'm a little disappointed with some of the outcome but, clearly, to see how these kids have survived and are for the most part thriving, is really wonderful."
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnewyork.com ...
I recall seeing a piece about the Hensel twins previously and was struck by how absolutely “normal” the girls are. Just your typical everyday teenaged girls... makes you really admire their strength of character given how challenging it seems to be when teenaged girls (in general) have to worry about so many petty things regarding appearance and acceptance.
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