Formerly memerly Conjoined Craniopagus Filipino Twins
CARL AND CLARENCE AGUIRRE
Dear Dr. Matt,
It took the courage of a woman with no resources told to bring her sons home to die, the courage of two surgeons determined to make a difference and the courage of two innocent and loving little boys to change the face of medical history. Carl and Clarence Aguirre are considered medical miracles.
On September 10, 2003 Ms. Aguirre, Carl and Clarence arrived in the U.S. with the assistance of two Medical Missions agencies, the PAL Foundation and two New York based hospitals that agreed to attempt the separation and rehabilitation of the boys. Ms. Aguirre came to the United States in order to try and save her boys without ever meeting the doctors. She had less than the equivalent of five American dollars in her pocket, not one friend or family member and only six month VISAS to support her belief that Carl and Clarence deserved and could have a chance at separate lives. Ms. Aguirre’s strength, determination and selflessness exude the depths of maternal love.
It happened in a series of staged surgeries, over a year of planning by the medical team and over a year of intensive medical care and rehabilitative therapies to build up Carl and Clarence’s physical strength to prepare them for the final death defying surgery. On the morning of August 4, 2004 Carl and Clarence Aguirre entered the operating room conjoined at the head, on one gurney and miraculously exited the operating room early morning on August 5, 2004 on two separate gurneys no longer conjoined with one another.
Since their separation Carl and Clarence have made tremendous progress in areas of their development. They have already exceeded all expectations. However their journey is not yet complete, they still require multiple surgeries to replace bone needed to protect their brains as well as some cosmetic procedures. They continue to require close medical monitoring. Carl has left sided weakness and has been experiencing multiple seizures daily. Carl is presently on three anti epileptic medications and his Neurologist is in the process of adjusting them in order to hopefully stop the seizures. Carl and Clarence both continue to require intensive therapy programs to maximize their functional development. They are not yet ready to return to the Philippines
When the boys were “ready” to be discharged from the hospital, a home near the hospital was temporarily donated for their use. Donations were secured for the utility fees, medications, durable medical supplies, clothing and daily care as well as a $150.00 monthly food allowance at a local grocery store. Ms. Aguirre is a Registered Nurse and desperately wants to work to support her sons as well as give back to a country that has given her so much but, her VISA status does not allow for employment in the United States. The Aguirre's do not have any 501c3 affiliatio. With no financial income Ms. Aguirre, Carl and Clarence are in a manner once again conjoined with and dependent on the kindness of others.
Unfortunately at this time, the owner of the home that was donated for their use is asking that the Aguirre’s find another place to stay, the group donating the $150.00 monthly food allowance is preparing to stop and other donations have stopped coming in.
If Carl and Clarence were to return to the Philippines now it would be detrimental to their continued progress and physical well being. Their home in the Philippines has no running water, electricity; it is over crowded and not well protected from inclement weather. They will also have no access to the level of continued medical and rehabilitative care they need.
We can only hope that the courage, strength and inspiration this family has generously given not only to those individuals who work with them but also to individuals and families around the world, would inspire a large community to assist them in obtaining all that they require in order to continue to survive, grow, enjoy a quality of life as well as continue to inspire and educate all those they so warmly touch.
Dr. Matt is there any way you could help me to help this family. It would be devastating to know that after all they have been through that a lack of appropriate support would cause their demise. For further information and photos of the twins please go to www.aguirretwins.org
Sincerely,
Meredith Gosin LCSW
merigocsw@aol.com
