Difficult choice: parents from the United States are afraid to make a decision about the separation of Siamese twins
Parents of Siamese twins are afraid to make a decision about a risky operation to separate the bodies of children. Nick and Chelsea Torres from Idaho are raising 3-year-old daughters Kelly and Carter, who were born fused in the chest area. The girls have two legs for two, but they try to live an active life and enjoy every new day.
Siamese twins are born in one in 200,000 cases. Doctors say that the ideal age for separating such children is from 2 to 4 years. The parents were given several months to make a decision. During the operation, the sisters will have their vital organs separated and each will be left with one leg. However, the procedure carries a great risk: one of the girls, and possibly both of them, may die.
Parents are very worried about the future of their daughters. In addition to the risks associated with the operation, the mother and father are worried about whether the girls will be able to get professions and build a personal life.
When Chelsea found out that she was going to have Siamese twins, she was mentally prepared for the fact that the babies could die immediately after birth. But they survived.
To make the right decision, Americans communicate with other parents who are raising Siamese twins.
It is known that today there are only 12 pairs of adult Siamese twins in the world.
Abigail and Brittany Hensel from Minnesota are 27-year-old Siamese twins who live a normal life. They ride a bicycle, drive a car, play volleyball and go swimming.
Keywords: North America | Health and medicine | World | Operation | Family | Parents | Children | Risk | Siamese twins | Birth | Fear | Choice | Risks | Decision | Idaho