Jake and Erin Herrin welcomed their twin daughters, Kendra and Malia, into the world in February 2002. The birth of these conjoined twins elicited a range of reactions from those who witnessed it.
While the new parents were overjoyed to have Kendra and Malia as part of their family, they couldn’t help but be concerned about their well-being. The twins lived together under the same roof until Malia reached the age of 4.
At the age of 4, the decision was made to separate these conjoined twins, who are now 20 years old. The separation was carried out promptly and resolutely by their parents, with the intention of providing each child with the opportunity to develop their individual independence.
Kendra and Malia each had only two legs, which meant they could only control one leg of the other. In order to move and play, they had to learn to cooperate and work together.
In 2006, a team of thirty-one doctors successfully performed the surgery to separate the conjoined twins. This complex procedure took more than a day to complete and garnered significant media attention, turning Kendra and Malia into young stars.
At the age of four, the girls embarked on their separate journeys, marking the first time they could independently engage in daily activities. Though this transition forced them to adapt quickly to new circumstances, they persevered.
Within just three years, the girls began attending school part-time in addition to their home learning. Their artistic talents flourished, spending hours drawing in their room while enjoying their favorite music or playing video games.
Kendra and Malia consistently demonstrated to their peers that hope prevails even in challenging circumstances. Their resilience earned them the admiration and support of everyone at school, with classmates rallying to assist them whenever needed.
