In a world where magic often feels limited by reality, every so often, we are lucky enough to witness a true miracle. Sometimes, these miracles arrive when hope feels distant, reminding us that life is unpredictable and that everything can change in an instant.

Such was the case for Siamese twin sisters Abby and Erin Delaney, born in 2016 joined at the head. Doctors gave them a slim five to 25 percent chance of survival, but a combination of luck, faith, and cutting-edge medical care created a miracle that has inspired countless people. Looking at the twins nine years later, it’s impossible not to smile.

A Surprise and a Challenge

When Heather Delaney and her partner Riley discovered they were expecting, it was a moment of pure joy. The couple, who had known each other since childhood, envisioned a happy future for their growing family. Soon, the excitement doubled: Heather was expecting twins.

However, the joy soon turned to worry. During her pregnancy, Heather learned that the twins’ heads were conjoined. “We were stunned,” Heather told People. “It was awful. But we knew in that moment we would go through the pregnancy no matter what. I just didn’t think it was my place to decide if they lived or died.”

Despite the initial shock, the couple remained hopeful. Cases of conjoined twins, though rare, occur in roughly 1 in 49,000 to 189,000 births. The real rarity is survival — only 18 percent of conjoined babies are born safely.

On July 24, 2016, Abby and Erin were delivered via C-section, weighing just 2 pounds each. The fragile newborns were immediately admitted to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where they would spend the first 485 days of their lives, preparing for the life-changing separation surgery.

The Miracle of Separation

Abby and Erin were craniopagus twins, joined at the top of their heads — a condition that made separation extraordinarily complex. In June 2017, a dedicated team of 30 medical professionals spent more than 11 hours performing the intricate operation. Their efforts paid off, and the surgery was declared a success.

While Abby’s sinuses were left partially incomplete and other minor complications remained, the twins’ resilience shone through. Their recovery was so remarkable that the lead surgeons published their findings in the New England Journal of Medicine, highlighting the groundbreaking techniques used to reshape the girls’ skulls and tissue prior to surgery.

This innovative approach allowed the twins to be separated at an earlier age, facilitating a smoother recovery and offering hope for a healthier, fuller life.

Growing Up Strong

A year and a half after the risky operation, Abby and Erin were living normal lives, a testament to their strength and determination. As they grew, the twins required additional surgeries to reconstruct their skulls and undergo plastic procedures. In July 2021, they faced a major operation to reshape their skulls; while Abby healed quickly, Erin’s recovery was more challenging.

Heather has kept a blog and Facebook page to update friends, family, and supporters on the girls’ progress, sharing both the highs and the lows of their extraordinary journey.

In September 2024, Heather revealed that both girls had been diagnosed with autism — a difficult moment for the family. “There is such a stigma around those who are autistic, and it scares me for the girls’ future. They already have so much going on, and to be autistic as well is just hard. I cried a lot when I got that phone call,” she wrote. “But I know that the girls are still who they are, and we love them just as much if not more than we did yesterday.”

Even with these additional challenges, the twins continue to make progress. Abby is growing closer to walking every day, while Erin is climbing stairs, running, and getting stronger.

Nine Years Later

As Abby and Erin celebrate their ninth birthday in 2025, they are thriving, full of life, and surrounded by a family that loves and supports them unconditionally. Their story is one of courage, resilience, and hope — a true reminder that miracles can happen, even when the odds seem impossible.

“We are so proud of the girls — of how far they’ve come and all the places they’re headed. Not once have we wished things were different because we love our girls exactly as they are,” Heather says.

These parents are a true inspiration, and their beautiful little angels are simply adorable. May God bless them and continue to watch over their journey!