It’s becoming common known that identical twins don’t entirely split when their zygote becomes two embryos, making them even unusual. Philadelphia’s conjoined twin girls’ unique situation won’t hinder their lives.
Erin and Abby Delaney, adorable newborn sisters born in summer 2016, were conjoined at the top of their heads, making separation impossible!
Seeing these two, it was clear that keeping them together was not good for their development or mental health as they grew up.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia performed its most complicated separation ever!
It took a surgical team for each girl and hours of fast-paced surgeries to stop them from bleeding to death or causing problems.
They were successfully separated with love, care, and amazing surgery, and they can now live separate lives.
Their mother, Heather Delaney, said:
“The girls are happy and content despite their hardships… They never lived outside the hospital.”
Five months later, after surgery and being home, they could grow physically and mentally and thrive in their own area. Mom commented on how well they were developing.
Mom added:
“They are not afraid of others… I’m amazed at their bravery throughout.”
For months after their birth, they could not be held separately, could not turn over, let alone sit up, and were carefully checked for their safety!
Later, Erin was sitting up on her own and Abby learned to roll over. It was a long road, but they arrived safely!
These incredible girls are getting a second chance at life, but they required more procedures. They had skull reshaping operations in July 2021.
Abby recovered well, but Erin struggled. Their mom writes on social media to update family, friends, and anybody interested in the girls’ lives.
In September 2020, the girls were diagnosed with autism, another blow to the family.
Autistic people are stigmatized, which worries me for the kids’ future. Being autistic is challenging to add to their already busy lives. That call made me cry a lot. I want the diagnoses to stop.
Know it doesn’t alter anything. I know the girls are still who they are and we love them as much as yesterday. However, another diagnosis is discouraging, Heather wrote.
Heather wrote in her recent blog entry that Abby is getting closer to walking daily and that Erin is “walking upstairs, running around, and getting stronger every day.”
Erin Abby’s parents’ love and support helped them attain their milestones. Despite their hardships, they are thriving.
We are extremely proud of the girls’ progress and future. Heather says she has never wanted for anything different because she loves her daughters as they are. See the video below for more on these girls’ lives.