The scariest thing new parents-to-be can hear is "there's a problem with the baby".  The day we were told that one of our twins was not developing as hoped was the worst day, ever.  The potential for brain damage existed due to an enlarged ventricle in her brain that was not processing cerebral spinal fluid  

 

We were given this information and we were asked to make a decision quickly about whether or not to operate.  The rest of this story, I am going to let my daughter, Sarah, tell.  This is her story that she wrote in grade nine about her twin sister, Beth.  Get your tissues ready.

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"A Special Relationship" 

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Not everyone knows that I'm a twin. My sister and I are fraternal twins and don’t look at all alike. Beth is tall with short, straight hair. I'm short with long, curly hair. Apart from us being twins there is something else that makes our relationship unique, challenging, and educational for me.

 

My twin sister, Beth, has a severe learning disability. Most likely Beth will never be able to read simple words or live independently.

Half way into my mother's pregnancy the doctors told my parents that Beth had a condition known as hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus occurs when there is too much cerebral spinal fluid in the fourth ventricle of the brain. There was a procedure that could have helped with Beth's condition.

 

Unfortunately, if my Mother went through with this procedure, she was at risk for losing Beth and possibly me, with no guarantee that the operation would work. My parents decided not to take any chances. 

Beth’s condition can be frustrating in many ways. I have to remind myself to treat her differently. It breaks my heart to see someone who I care about immensely struggle with things that come so easily to me. It's difficult for me to be patient at times. I need to repeat myself occasionally and explain things in a way she will be able to comprehend.

 

In some ways it's no different than having a normal sister. We get into arguments about whose turn it is to wash the dishes and about my awful singing. However, at the end of the day, I always hear her say “Good-night Sarah, I love you”.

Beth’s condition opened my eyes. People show their true colours when they are around someone like Beth. I've been able to decipher between true friends and fake ones, all because of her.

 

Before we started high-school, Beth and I went to the same school. Due to our differences no one knew she was my sister. One day, during grade 5 recess, I was looking for my friends on the playground. I finally spotted my friends with Beth.

 

As I reached all of them, I noticed that Beth was crying. My 'friends' were bullying her. For the rest of the year I spent every recess with her.

Beth plays a huge role in my life. She has made me who I am today. She has taught me patience, love and that I need to choose friends wisely. I know that she will always love me, and I will always be there for her.

 

I am so grateful and proud to be able to say, “Beth is my twin sister”.