When Heather and Riley Delaney found out they were expecting twins back in early 2016, the excitement lasted about as long as it took for the ultrasound technician to go quiet. They weren't just having twins; they were having craniopagus conjoined twins. Basically, their daughters were joined at the top of their heads.
It’s the kind of news that stops your heart. This condition is so rare it only happens in about one out of every 2.5 million live births. Most doctors didn't give them much of a chance. Some statistics suggested a survival rate as low as 2%. But the Delaneys didn't buy into the "impossible" narrative.
Instead, they drove from North Carolina to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). It was there that a team of 30 medical professionals began a journey that would eventually make medical history.
The 11-Hour Miracle in Philadelphia
On June 6, 2017, Erin and Abby Delaney went into an operating room together for the last time. They were only 10 months old. Most craniopagus separations happen much later, but the lead surgeons, Dr. Gregory Heuer and Dr. Jesse Taylor, had a different theory. They believed that because an infant's brain is so "plastic"—meaning it can rewire and heal faster—an early separation gave them the best shot at a normal life.
The surgery was incredibly intense. Honestly, it's hard to even imagine the pressure in that room.
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The team had to painstakingly separate shared blood vessels and the dura, which is the tough membrane that protects the brain. The biggest hurdle? The sagittal sinus. That's the massive vessel that carries blood away from the brain. In many cases, this is where things go wrong.
Surgeons used 3D-printed models to practice and even used a "distractor" device in the months leading up to the surgery to slowly push the girls' skulls apart by about two centimeters. It was like high-tech carpentry mixed with neurosurgery.
By 8:43 p.m. that night, the girls were officially two separate people.
Life After the Hospital Walls
The girls didn't just walk out of the hospital a week later. Not even close. They spent a total of 485 days at CHOP. Erin was discharged first in October 2017, and Abby followed a month later. They finally made it home to Mooresville, North Carolina, just in time for Thanksgiving.
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You've probably seen the photos of them since then. They are thriving, but "thriving" looks different for every child.
Because they were joined at the head, their development wasn't the same as other kids. They had to learn how to sit, crawl, and walk without the physical weight of another person attached to them. It took years of physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Recent Milestones and 2026 Status
Fast forward to today. The girls are no longer those tiny babies you saw on the news. They recently hit a massive milestone: graduating from kindergarten.
- Erin is known as the "adventurous" one. She's got a curious heart and loves to explore.
- Abby is the "feisty" one. Her teachers and parents often describe her as a "diva" in the best way possible—full of personality and incredibly kind to her friends.
While they still face some developmental delays and have undergone several "touch-up" surgeries for skull reconstruction, they are living lives that most experts said were impossible. In 2024 and 2025, the family shared updates on their blog about Erin recovering from more recent procedures, noting she's finally off antibiotics and back to her happy self.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Conjoined Twins
There’s a common misconception that once the surgery is over, the "story" is finished. Honestly, for the Delaneys, the surgery was just the prologue.
- The Bone Issue: When they were separated, they didn't have enough skull to cover the tops of their heads. For years, they had to be extremely careful. They eventually needed synthetic implants and bone grafts as they grew.
- Brain Plasticity: People often ask if they share thoughts or memories. While they shared some brain tissue and major blood vessels, they have always been two distinct individuals with two very different personalities.
- The Financial Toll: Even with a "miracle" outcome, the cost of this kind of care is astronomical. We're talking millions of dollars. The family has been open about the struggle of managing specialized medications, constant trips back to Philadelphia, and the reality of living on a single income so Heather can manage their care.
Actionable Insights: Lessons from the Delaney Journey
The story of Erin and Abby Delaney isn't just a medical anomaly; it's a blueprint for navigating "impossible" medical diagnoses.
- Seek Specialized Care: If you’re facing a rare condition, "good" hospitals aren't enough. You need a "Center of Excellence." CHOP had separated 23 pairs of twins before the Delaneys, which is why they were the right choice.
- Early Intervention is Key: The decision to separate at 10 months was risky, but it utilized the natural healing power of an infant's brain. If you're managing a child's health, early and aggressive therapy (PT/OT) often yields the best long-term results.
- Support Networks Matter: The Delaneys relied heavily on the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund and community GoFundMe efforts. Navigating a medical crisis requires a "village" to handle the logistics so you can focus on the healing.
For those following the family, the best way to stay informed is through their official "Delaney Twins" blog or social media updates, where Heather frequently shares the girls' latest school achievements and health milestones. They continue to prove that a 2% chance is still a chance worth taking.
To support families in similar situations, you can look into organizations like the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center, which provides the specialized care that made the Delaneys' story a success.