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They moved as one; joined, connected, together. But it was one year ago today when conjoined twins Kendra and Maliyah Herrin captured the hearts of thousands of people worldwide when they underwent surgery to separate them.
When parents Errin and Jake Herrin found out their twins were conjoined, they immediately loved the girls just the way they were; but both recognized separation was inevitable.
Their mom Erin Herrin said, “I never felt the peace that I did the day we decided that it was the right thing to do.”
On August 7 2006 , the day for the surgery finally arrived. The girls’ had been to the hospital many times before, but this visit was different. This time each would leave, in separate arms.
The carefully planned surgery went well into the night. After nearly 20-hours, the long-awaited announcement came from their dad Jake Herrin, “THEY’RE EACH IN THEIR OWN LITTLE BED NOW AND WE’LL START RECONSTRUCTION NOW…AND THEY’RE DOING GREAT.”
Six weeks later, Erin and Jake left the hospital, each with a girl in their arms. “WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S HERE ALREADY. WE’VE BEEN DREAMING ABOUT THIS DAY FOR A VERY LONG TIME.”
Because Kendra was left with their once shared kidney, in April Maliyah received a kidney transplant…the organ was donated by her mom.
The twins are now healthy, 5-year old girls.
Last night, we visited the Herrin home for a birthday party, of sorts. Not a celebration of their actual day of birth, but a celebration their re-birth.
Though once again in the spotlight, these smiling sisters seemed oblivious to the attention. They proudly showed off their independent mobility. Maliyah is learning to maneuver her walker. Kendra is now taking her first steps on crutches.
Erin Herrin sums up the past year by saying, “IT’S JUST SURREAL HOW FAR WE’VE COME. THIS EXPERIENCE HAS BROUGHT US CLOSER AS A FAMILY AND STRONGER AS PEOPLE.”
“KENDRA AND MALIYAH HAVE SHOWN US WHAT LIFE SHOULD BE ALL ABOUT.”
Kendra |
Maliyah |
From Their Website:
This is a website dedicated to Kendra and Maliyah Herrin and their family. It is intended to keep family and friends up-to-date about their progress, and let others learn about them and understand more about conjoined twins. We hope that in some way this website and most importantly, Kendra and Maliyah, will touch people’s lives in some way. Visit www.herrintwins.com.
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