Erin and Jake Herrin live in Salt Lake City, Utah, and were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their twin daughters. When Kendra and Malaya were born on February 26, 2002, they learned something unexpected – they were conjoined twins.
The girls were connected in the abdominal area and shared vital organs such as a colon, bladder, liver, a single kidney and a pair of legs. Although doctors recommended terminating the pregnancy, Erin chose motherhood, captivated by the faces of her unborn daughters on the MRI screen.
When the girls were four years old, Erin and Jake’s love for their daughters grew even further, and they spoke to doctors about the possibility of a separation. Although the procedure involved significant risks, it offered hope for independent lives for the girls. The decision to separate put a lot of strain on the family. Kendra was supposed to keep the shared kidney while Malaya was scheduled for a transplant. Finally, they decided to have the operation and trusted an experienced team of doctors.
After a successful separation, Kendra and Malaya began a challenging rehabilitation. Statistically, the chance that both would survive was slim at just 25%, but the sisters didn’t give up. They learned to walk again with one leg each and faced the challenges of life with resilience. However, difficulties arose when Malaya needed a kidney transplant. Without hesitation, her mother declared herself the donor. Despite initial success, Malaya eventually needed another transplant, this time from an anonymous donor.
The twins are now twenty years old and express gratitude to their parents for their decision. Passionate about graphic design, Malaya is pursuing her passion in college and enjoying the opportunity to forge her own path. Her story highlights the importance of embracing individuality and pursuing dreams – a testament to her unwavering determination.
