Your View

Well so much for Canadians being kind hearted. Only in a welfare state will one find people who seem to think that as tax payers they can act as judge, jury and executioner! This is none of our business! Doctors and the parents will make the choice not you or I.

If my tax dollars will be paying to separate and/or care for these precious little girls, then so be it. We have no right to choose who should live and who shouldn't.

It was the medical community's intervention that saw these two souls into this world and it becomes their responsibility along with the parents to ensure they lead the healthiest lives they can.

I am unclear as to whether they would have survived without medical intervention (ie cesaerian). But now that is a moot point.

We pay for all kinds of surgeries, including ear tucks and nose jobs for children. This is far more critical. To hell with the expense. These girls need a fighting chance.

The twins should be left the way they were born, in my opinion. God made the 2 twins like that, so why risk there lives. Leave what God has made be.

I am the mother of twins. I thank God everyday that they were born healthy with no disabilities or sickness. As a parent you will do absolutely anything to make your child's life as easy and pain free as possible. If my twins had been born conjoined I would have most likely had them separated. As for the "strain on the health care system for separating the twins", I am personally disgusted that that is the first concern of some people. I live in a country with free health care for a reason. If that is your concern you are living in the wrong country.

Sorry these unfortunates should have been aborted when it was known there were problems. It is unfortunate but to waste millions on a less than good life is folly in the extreme, unless the parents are willing to pay all medical costs their lives should be ended. We must rid ourselves of the "life at all costs" mantra which is killing our, your, health system.

I feel terrible pity for these girls, not least because of the difficult, awkward, and short lives they will likely live.

Also, I'm astonished her mother decided to take them to term. I can see bringing some types of conjoined twins into the world - types, for example, who are easily separated -but I'm not sure that bringing into this world two children sharing the same brain is particularly moral.

Should conjoined twins always be separated? That's not a question for anyone to decide really. Who's to say that those children won't live life happy and healthy if they stay together or not. I can't, you can't, no one can really. What you can say, is if it will hurt those children to be separated. Sometimes one of the twins doesn't live, and I would be more devastated at losing one of my children than living with them together. If they are going to be mentally sound, able to make decisions and live their lives, at least a semblance of a life together, then they should be left like that if the alternative is mental retardation or being handicap in another way. But, like I said, that decision isn't for me to make.

If this is possible then yes...but then again we should let nature take it's course

It's not up to me. It's up to the kids parents. Personally, if I had 'conjoined' twins, I would have them separated if at all possible. Just as I would apply a plaster to my child's wounds, or stiches to a gash, I would seek whatever medical assistance to give my kid(s) the physical independance. But, that's just me. This case is up to Mr. and Mrs. Sims.

I think its up to the parents what they beleive is best for the girls If they have to be joined so let it be imagine if these were your children you will always love them no matter what and how they look or anything differnt in there lives. There your precious angels, God blessed the mother with two perfect angels.

Conjoined twins should NOT always be separated. It is not up to taxpayers to foot the bill for this. If the family can raise funds (or work with charity institutions to do so) then that is their prerogative. We live in such a politically correct society now that says we have to "help" everyone or we're made to feel "bad", yet our taxbase in Canada is limited. This should not be funded by the taxpayer!!!

The only thing that "should" or "should not" be done is not to have brought this whole story under media attention. I pity those babies who, together or separated, will realize that the whole of Canada saw the first picture of them probably ever taken.

This is a family and medical matter, not one to satisfy our voyeuristic interests nor to sollicit our "expert" or "wise" comments...

It seems to me that if the doctors judge that the procedure is feasible then the twins should be separated. That isn't to say that they couldn't lead fulfilling lives if they remained joined - far from it - but given the choice, I have a hard time believing anyone would prefer living with that added challenge.

As for whether they should have been born, that is a very slippery slope indeed. How can we possibly decree that these girls don't have the right to be born because of a given defect? If you adopt that position, where do you draw the line? Who decides? What imperfections of nature will be allowed and which ones condemned? For me, that's going way too far.

What should be considered first and foremost is the welfare of these children. To say that these babies are perfect is sadly unrealistic, and their lives will undoubtedly be difficult wether or not they are separated. It is selfish, in my opinion, to keep these babies the way they are just to ensure that they remain alive. Everything should be done to enable them to be separated, so that they can enjoy a productive life. Likewise, it is irresponsible for a parent to proceed with a pregnancy when this sort of disability is a possibility, as real love should mean forsaking one's personal views in regard to abortion, for the welfare of the child. Being alive does not mean one is living.

Wouldn't this depend on the circumstances & factors in each particular situation? Not the least of which, I might add, is the doctors' advice as to what's possible & what's not-?

What right do any of us have, to tell families whether their babies "should" be separated or not? Good grief. They've got enough to deal with, without the judgement of outsiders. Let's just support them.

I was conjoined, and separated in my 20's. the difference was that the conjoining was an unhealthy marriage. I put some strain on the medical system with lots of doctor's appointments, but I look perfectly normal on the outside. I think being conjoined is perception, and Nicole is right about much more strain being put on the medical system by "normal people"...in fact, probably 80% of it. I also look forward to the girls' extraordinary life. And the courage it took for a mother to choose birth, knowing what she was facing, is more courage and love than 99% of us have, or will ever show.

I think this decision is one for the children's family and their doctors to make to determine what is in the children's best interest. It is not appropriate to use this case to score points for one interest or another.

I don't think the cost to the public health system should be a consideration. Besides, there is so much publicity that I am sure that the medical professionals and the community will pull together to make an operation(s) possible or more cost effective.

There are some situations where practicality is a virtue; this is not one of those situations. In this situation empathy for, and solidarity with, this family is a virtue.

The family is to be commended for how they have handled themselves so far in the face of all of this interest. The love and acceptance they have shown is something we can all aspire to.

Medicine and technology has been developed to correct or ease a life. Parents choice and no one ought to influence them either. I believe either way they are loved.

It is amazing to have two babies sharing parts of their brains. If the babies’ collective brain thinks as one large organ, then I would argue that there is only one person here (albeher with two bodies) and she shouldn’t be split in two. I hold that one set of thoughts implies one person. Imagine how intelligent a human with twice the average brain mass could be. These so-called disabled newborns could turn out to be the Albert Einstein of the 21st century.

I think the most important thing for those girls is not to be taught that they are "disabled". I cringed at the sight of that word at the end of the article, though I know most people see it that way, but from what I have read about conjoined twins, most are able to lead long, productive lives. I don't know whether it is best or not to seperate them or leave them the way they are, but either way, they should be givin a positive self-image. If they are taught from childhood that they are "disabled", they may be "disabled" for the rest of their lives. They will think they are part of the problem rather than part of the solution, in many ways.

First, Mary Sims, no wonder our social conscience is falling apart when it is subjected to you. I feel sorry for you.

Now, should conjoined twins ALWAYS be separated? Situations like these simply cannot not be subjected to absolute solutions.

It should be the decision of the twins.

Now that I've said that, I will explain. In THIS case, having seen the twins crying and breathing with no assistance, it appears to me they are quite healthy! But I'm not a doctor and cannot truely assess them from a video-bite while having breakfast. If they can live happily joined together (as many do), it will be the responsibility of the parents and medical community to allow them the right to properly educate themselves. Then, when they are old enough they can weigh the benefits and risks and decide for themselves.

So, if being joined does not risk their lives at this point, leave them joined. But, if leaving them joined will risk their lives this becomes a tremendously difficult decision for the parents.

Humankind still can't deal with massive human deformity when it occurs and doesn't seem to rest until everything is "normalized". We just can't accept them for what they are.

Congratulations to the parents, I pray for long healthy lives for your children...no matter the cost to the healthcare system.

Firstly, congratulations to the parents on having two beautiful little girls. Many people are not able to be blessed with children, and to receive two is wonderful.
Well said Deane - an extraordinary life they will live. Mary Sims does not need any more attention then we've already given her - her comments are for a reaction and that's all.
I wish the family the best of luck and do believe the choice they make will be the right one.

Personally, I’m sick of people pontificating on both sides of the issue. On one hand, we have monsters who suggest that these children should never have been “allowed” to be born and claim (without statistics or figures to support) that they are a “strain” on our healthcare system. On the other hand we have the rather silly approach that a disability is an honour of sorts, that is bestowed on certain people and that anyone who doesn’t see it as such is ignorant or guilty of an “-ism” of some sort.

There is no mother alive who doesn’t want their child to be as healthy and “normal” (whatever that means to them) as possible. These children will be loved, regardless of whatever abilities or disabilities they were born with. If this means that in the future, the family will choose to (or not to) separate them by way of surgical means – so be it. Frankly it’s none of our business. It is the family that is going to deal with the immense strain of caring for these girls. It’s not our place to judge either way.

I agree with Mary Sims - in part.

Our heath care system is bleeding to death to support our aging population. These children should have been aborted to save our nation of aging baby-boomers. We must not help disabled children so that unhealthy old folks can get new hips, bypasses and other costly procedures. The newest generation had better learn to work hard and pay lots of taxes to support the old. Any kid who can't support the aged must be eliminated!

The point is, they were born, have a life, and it appears that at best one would die so the other could live. Brains don't like getting cut up. Uneducated simple folks are easily convinced by ladder-climbing doctors to put their children at great risk.

Anyone interested in exploring how it might feel to be a coinjoined twin might like to read the novel: THE GIRLS by Lori Lansen.
Living extraordinary lives will not be easy, but will be valuable nonetheless.
I do think the media should be careful about making these girls into a public spectacle. Remember what happened to the Dionne Quintuplets. Every individual has the right to grow up in the relative privacy of their community without living under the glare of a spotlight.

It's a decision for the doctors and family on a case by case basis. All beings with a mind of human origin, functioning "normally" or not, are equal in their humanity. I've heard that these girls show signs of sharing sensations and emotional states. They just might teach us something about ourselves and become two of the most interesting people to ever be born. Surely we're creative enough to accomodate their uniqueness, and welcome them into the human family.

It's such a sad situation to see these helpless little babies face a life of hardship like this. The sanctity of life crusaders are so self-centred that they only care about their moral stance and not what these poor girls will have to go through.

It's not as if they were born side by side and thus can have some mobility and some ability to function in this world. The girls are practically perpendicular and thus the possibility of being able to perform any normal activity (e.g. walking, bathing, attending to their hygiene, etc) will be highly unlikely.

What sort of life is that? I feel for these girls. I really do. I say they should be separated even if the probability of success is only 1%.

From what I have seen and heard of the mother, father, grandparents, in this case, I feel the right decision will be made by the family, and it is no one else's business. This family seems solid and sensible, loving and supportive. AND I don't believe they have put any 'strain' on the health care system to date.

Sorry, but I majored in English literature, not medicine. How on earth could I possibly know whether or not the twins should be separated? Those who make the final decision should be qualified to do so. I wish a long, healthy and happy life to the twins and their family.

How dare "Mary Sims" write that comment. She must not had the greatest opportunity to love her own child or have children.
God only gives us in life what we can handle and no more. These children will grow up in the life that they make it. If they can be seperated all the better. There are many conjoined twins that go onto live a what is called normal life to them. All the best to those little girls and to their family.

i think that the twins should be seprated because when they get older they are going to have trouble walking . i know somebody that had a problem like that and the are still here today.

With all this talk about the twins' chances for a "normal" life, have we overlooked the possibility that they just may enjoy something the rest of us will never have, an extraordinary life? How many "normal" people live lives of quiet desperation, stress and unhappiness? Normal is no guarantee of a good quality of life.

I think that this is a unique situation, with that being said it does not matter what we think or the media think. This is the decison on a 21 yr old mother and her family.
I truly beleive that these babies will get the best care possible, no matter if they are separated or not.

I've read a great deal of literature about twins who have survived to adulthood still conjoined, and in only one case (Ladan and Laleh Bijani of Iran) did they actually express and pursue a desire to be separated. In all other cases I've read about, the twins were perfectly content to remain conjoined, and in fact expressed a strong desire to stay that way. When we see conjoined newborns, it is very easy for us to make a judgment about how horrible we think life will be for them unless they are separated. And certainly these babies are in no condition to speak for themselves and express their own wishes at that age. But it's eye-opening when we do listen to what adult conjoined twins tell us about their quality of life. In the same way, able-bodied people often assume people living with disabilities have very poor quality of life. This is usually not the case at all. Many times over, there have been examples of people who live outside the norm and are happy and fulfilled.

I think the comment by Mary Sims is so absolutely inappropriate, not to mention selfish to the extreme. A lot of children born with "defects" cost our system. So do people who abuse their bodies and end up with heart disease, diabetes, orthopedic issues all arising from obesity, lack of exercise.... These girls deserve as fulfilling a life as anyone else, whether that be conjoined or separated, and it will be up to the parents to determine what the course of action should be.

I think that if it can safely be done, it's up to the parents and medical professionals to make that decision.

I can't believe that someone (Mary Sims) would actually post that these babies should never have been born! All babies have a right to be born.

Unless there is a medical consensus that the procedure will fail resulting in death, seperation should be initiated in order to preserve and enhance life. Once we deviate from the "sanctity" of life principle we start on a slippery slope. Some proponents of "quality of life" will disagree, quality of life, however, is very subjective.

I'm sorry I do not agree with Mary Sims. You say "why were theses children allowed to be born at tremondous cost to the health care system." Why are only "healthy" children allowed to be born? Who are we to play God?

The fate of the babies is in God's hands. I feel the two babies, especially being joined from the head,should not be seperated. Let nature takes it course. Who says they can't live a "normal" life. Hopefully, they will have loving parents, the most important thing. Unfortunately, we, the public, will probably be the ones, not allowing them to live a "normal" life.

Separation of these girls should not be based on society's "pity" that they don't look "normal" or will have a life that is different from the average person. A society must learn to incorporate people of all capabilites to remember compassion, tolerance and respect for the human individual to overcome and adapt. That said, the decision to separate should be based on survival, and the parent's definition of that word. It is up to the parents in careful consultation with the medical team.

I don't think any mother can really finalize her opinion on it. I personally don't think I would want to risk it, and I would take every precaution to ensure my children were safe and stay out of the emotional line of fire. To seperate the children, would mean a great risk of death. I don't know any mother who would be willing to go through that.

From my point of view, if the mother found out early in her pregnancy that the twins were going to be joined at the head she should have had her pregnancy terminated. I think it was selfish from her part not to look ahead and consider what kind of life those little girls were going to have. I know it is a lot easier to loose a baby in the early stage of pregnancy than it is to loose a 1 year old baby.

These two beautiful little girls will teach us all much about the miracle of life and its many complexities. Whether they can be separated or not I would just wish them and their family as happy and healthy a life as possible. May they receive the continued support needed to nurture these "miracle" babies.

I dont think there is any answer to this question. Each situation is different and decisions made by the family and the medical profession must be respected.

My thoughts and prayers are with these little girls and their family.

Conjoined twins should NOT always be separated. If there is a strong possibility that one of the twins will die because of separation, I think it is a valid choice for the parents to leave them together. If both twins will die if NOT separated, than I think the parents should go for separation and save the child they can. Being conjoined is "just" another kind of birth defect - if it can be fixed then fix it - if not, let people live the way they were born. And let the communities they live in love them and support them and accept them!

I agre with Mel;
I don't see how anyone outside the situation would consider themselves qualified for an opinion.

I think that the girls future's,lay in the hands of the doctors and their parents.
Any set of twins born in this manner,has a different story behind them .I would think that each case would be treated as such.There are conjoined twins living,some have even gone on to marry.
I wish the family and the young girls the best for the future.

I think that conjoined twins should be separated if it is necessary. However, like Macedonia said, when twin girls are joined at the head then they risk severe danger by trying to separate them. If the doctors think the twins will survive the separation then the parents should decide if it is worth either losing both their children or helping their children in gaining a better future by making them independant.

I think they should be separated.
It is a pain to continue to grow up with heads fused together.
Let us pray for the operation to be sucessful.
God bless.

I agree entirely with mel. The parents have a very difficult decision facing them in the near future. After consulting with doctors, it will be up to the parents to decide what is best for their girls. This decision will be difficult enough without distractions from the media and general public.

Best wishes to Krista, Tatiana, mom and dad!

Is it necessary to distribute a picture of the babies with this story? Seems terribly personal and invasive. The babies didn't get a choice in having their photo splashed all over the Internet. I am glad the mother is happy and the community is supportive, as they should be. But "perfect" is not how I would describe the situation. Perhaps they will be happy and everything will work out. But you know humanity . . . most people are hoping for the best, but thinking the worst.

Yes, coinjoined twins should be separed, they deserved and need chance for normal life & stability in future. I appspolutly do agre that they nead to be separd,and it's nobody's bussines other than the parents and the doctors.I am very possitivie that the doctors can make anything possible,and the rest is in the God's hands!Let's hope & pray that after being separed, they will have normal, healthy life.

I think that if it's safe for the twins then they should be seperated.If it's possible to seperate the twins with out endagering their lives then it shoud be done so they would have a chance to lead independant lives.Ultimately, the decision should be made only by the doctors and parent's and no one elses oppinion should be taken into consideration except for professionals.

Mel commented: "As they are now, it is hard to imagine how they could have any sort of life". I might have thought the same thing, if I hadn't listened to Anna Maria Tremonti's interview with Lori Schappell on "The Current" this morning. Clearly, Lori and her conjoined twin, Reba, are living very fulfilling lives indeed. The interview astonished me and completely changed my understanding of this issue. Have a listen - it will probably change your mind too.
Katie

The real question is why were these children allowed to be born, at tremendous cost to the health care system? In any other day and age these babies would never have been born

No wonder our health care system is falling apart, when it is put under such tremendous strain as this.

Yes, conjoined twins should always be separated. Anything, absolutely anything would be better than going through life, which is hard enough as it is, joined to another person. What a horror that would be. I feel so sorry for these poor babies.

The fate of the babies is nobody's business other than the parents and the doctors, who are the only people who would have a clue if separation were remotely possible, and in the best interests of both children.

As they are now, it is hard to imagine how they could have any sort of life.