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From: Sancin
Date: 10-25-2006, 09:19 PM (1 of 10)
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The news here in BC has been filled in preparation for and today C/S delivery of conjoint twins - joined at the head as the Iran women were several years ago - to a 21 year old woman. As I write there are doctors talking about separation - if, where, when and difficulties as well as pictures of the twins fresh from the womb. As well are addresses for financial donations for support of the family. As the situation, from my perspective, is fraught with many issues, I wonder about the moral/ethical aspect of sharing this information. I am surprised at the international statistics being quoted. Though the survival rates are not mentioned it is not as uncommon as I would have thought. But still rare. Does anyone who is on this list actually know anyone who had or has conjoint twins? How do the families cope at different stages of family development as well as child development? *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 10-26-2006, 06:31 PM (2 of 10)
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Back in the 60's , a pair of conjoined twins (ladies) lived here.. They were joined at the side hip slightly toward the rear.. They were older .. 50 ish somewhere.. They had toured the vaudeville circuit for years, and retired here.. They worked in a local supermarket weighing produce at double scales set up side by side.. the lines formed on each side.. Some of my relatives from out of town used to embarass me greatly by staring at them while we were buying groceries.. They passed away some time ago..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 10-26-2006, 07:29 PM (3 of 10)
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I think if medicine can seperate conjoined twins then I say go fo it...because life is hard enough to live, when you're 'normal', being 'different' is sometimes too much for people to bear. Anyone who was teased as a kid for they way they look can tell you the same thing...let the kids be as 'normal' as they can...(yes I was teased...I look perfectly fine, but as a kid teachers, 'other' parents etc were always telling me to smile...and when I did, they'd make remarks...my teeth are perfectly straight, white and even, but I have an underbite (open bite now...) my front teeth do not meet...my lower canines are longer than the four in front and kids called me vampire. I cannot eat like others, my front teeth don't allow me to BITE my food correctly, so I eat sorta sideways..adults pick at this, because I have a use a small (salad) fork, so I don't poke myself in the mouth. Some dentists wanted to fix it, break my jaw and move it back. But then I'd have no lower jaw, I'd have to have an implant. Some said braces, but then my teeth would move into strange positions and I might not be able to close my mouth correctly...my dentist now says, I've lived this long, leave it alone...) So I do not show my teeth when I smile..(of course some people look like they're trying to eat you when they do that...) Moral of the story is...don't stare, don't comment, ASK if you want to know. (people WILL tell you) Let people L I V E.... Kath btw...when I was selling shoes once upon a time...A woman came in with her daughter, in a wheelchair. She obvioulsy had some sort of brain damage. (I didn't ask) I just asked the Mom, what size she wore, then talked to the girl like she was normal. " I see Moms buying you some new shoes...wow what a lucky girl" I asked if I could put a shoe on for her. her Mom nodded, I said' Nice shoes...pink for girls do you like them ???" and I showed them to her...They fit and Mom said she'd take them..So I grabbed the girls hand and said good bye and enjoy the new shoes. Her Mom pushed her away a bit, came back and thanked me for talking to her daughter like a human...I told her she didn't need to thank me, her daughter is a human being and I respect everyone. (till they do something stupid to make me DISRESPECT them..) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: cowqueenie
Date: 11-06-2006, 02:45 PM (4 of 10)
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Thanks for your story Chrysantha! I am very much like you too. My husband was born without his right hand. The first time I met him I did not notice and the gal that introduced us asked me if I noticed it. To this day, I hardly notice it. (We have been together 14 1/2 years) Children often look and so he will "wave" with the wrist he does have and the kids just STARE! He laughs. He once told me that he wished parents would teach their kids to be who they are, curious, and let them ask questions. He would MUCH rather have questions asked than stares his way. It must be much like that for anyone who has something that is considered different than the norm. I adore my husband for who he is because he never says he can't do anything and it amazes me when I sit and think about some of the things we do with TWO hands, he does with ONE! (BTW- he is a diesel mechanic, farmer, and is in agricultural construction for a living!!)
"A trip to the fabric store is my therapy"
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User: cowqueenie
Member since: 10-30-2006 Total posts: 125 
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From: Patty22
Date: 11-06-2006, 03:11 PM (5 of 10)
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My oldest son was one of the first kids ever to be mainstreamed in our local school district. It was a battle! One day a mother called me up to say that her daughter came home talking about my son. She asked her if there was anything different about him and she said that there was that he was handicapped. The mother pressed her some more to see if she understood what that meant and the little girl said that yes, he wore glasses. To this day I get a chuckle about this little girl and her mother for sharing the story. cowqueenie, glad you're here with us. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: cowqueenie
Date: 11-06-2006, 04:53 PM (6 of 10)
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Thanks Patty! I am glad to be here. It is truly amazing what you can see through the eyes of child. My nephew (now 12) always called my husband's "Stub" Fred. When he learned about right and left hands, he would say he had a right hand and a Fred hand! My niece (7) loves to hang from her Uncles big strong arm with out the hand because it is easier to grip onto! Of course these kids also have their "special needs" having Cerebral Palsey themselves. They are mainstreamed but my nephew struggled until Middle School now. He is doing great. I often wonder what Conjoined twins are going to bump into in their lives. What kind of struggles they are going to have, yet the lucky ones with their twin still with them will have someone just the same as them! There was just a set of Conjoined Twins that were seperated at the Mayo Clinic here in Rochester. I live quite close to there and it was all over the news. They are from North Dakota and they come back for their check ups and just make the WHOLE town smile with the light in their eyes and their smiles! The surgery clearly went well and they are doing great! I agree with Chrys, I think they should go for it too! Technology now is Awesome. With out medical miracles I wouldn't be here! (I'm a Transplant recipient!!) (TWICE!!) Patty, looking forward to the blocks now! 
"A trip to the fabric store is my therapy"
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User: cowqueenie
Member since: 10-30-2006 Total posts: 125
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From: Sancin
Date: 11-06-2006, 10:01 PM (7 of 10)
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Hi - I was the one who originally posted the question re conjoint twins. They were born and are doing well. But they are joined at the tip of the head and do share brain tissue, which was known prenatally. I was wondering how on earth the mother manages day to day activities in child care as the children grow. There is a toddler and a preschool sibling in the family. Another concern I have is that the likelihood of successful separation seems to be going to be very iffy. I wonder how the media barrage is, and will, affect the family functioning and the children's self esteem. Leap Frog mentioned the two working in the store had been on a vaudeville circuit. Surely that can't be the only option for independant living for the twins. Cowqueen, congratulations on being a transplant recipient! I can remember the first transplants being done when I first started nursing and boy have things improved. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: Bama
Date: 11-06-2006, 10:43 PM (8 of 10)
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Back in the 60's , a pair of conjoined twins (ladies) lived here.. They were joined at the side hip slightly toward the rear.. They were older .. 50 ish somewhere.. They had toured the vaudeville circuit for years, and retired here.. . I think I saw those two ladies on TV last night on Discovery Health (I think) Channel. A show called "One Too Many" about people with extra fingers, toes, or legs, etc. It showed a clip of them singing on stage when they were probably in their 20's. The clip appeared to be from the 30's or so by their hairstyles and dress. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: Bama
Date: 11-06-2006, 10:47 PM (9 of 10)
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Remember these 2 women? http://phreeque.tripod.com/schappell_sisters.html I've seen a couple of interviews with them. They are very independent. Amazing. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 11-07-2006, 09:50 PM (10 of 10)
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Those poor girls...(and I don't mean it that way). Their parents didn't want them at home and they were raised in an institution. They didn't get to be on their own till they were in their 20's. I've seen them on numerous shows. (even Nip/Tuck) I love to watch their faces when one says something 'ornery' about the other... They've made a life for themselves...Brava !!! 
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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