Triplets are already one of a kind, but having a conjoined twin in a triplet is something most people think is impossible. In fact, according to science this kind birth only happens once in every 200,000 live births! So when a couple, who were drug addicts failed to go on pre-natal check-ups had them — they did not know what to do!

The couple decided to give up the babies up for adoption to give them a better chance of survival in life. Thankfully, another couple stepped in and helped out.Darla and Jeff Garrison have always been foster parents to children with fragile medical conditions. However, the placement was not permanent and they’ve always wanted girls who would stay with them for a much longer period of time!

Although they already have three biological kids of their own, Tyler, Matt, and Luke, they yearn to have daughters added to their nuclear family. Sixteen years ago, their wish was granted when they welcomed to their family a unique set of triplets who were girls — and two of them are conjoined. The triplets were born in December 2002.

The family first took in Madeline, when she was four days old followed by Macey and Mackenzie, the conjoined twins at four weeks old. The conjoined twins weighed 2.2 pounds each during birth and were born attached at the pelvis with entwined intestines. They had a leg each but had to share a third a non-functional limb.
In September 10, 2003, Macey and Mackenzie underwent a 24-hour multi-staged separation surgery at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles under Pediatric Surgeon James Stein.

Prior to this, their skin was stretched out so that it could be easily stitched and flapped over their wounds. It was a delicate and complicated procedure that had to be completed. Darla recalls the girls frequently comforting and soothing one another. Thankfully, the surgery went well, and Mackenzie was the first to go home after spending six weeks in the hospital. Macey was released a month later.

Darla and Jeff began the adoption process after they had settled, and two years later, the Garrisons were finally granted legal rights to adopt the three, much to the delight of their brothers. They then relocated to a farm in Indianola, Iowa, because Darla and Jeff wanted them to have a country childhood they will never forget. “The girls have succeeded through hard work and the commitment of their family,” Dr. Stein said. Their progress is fantastic and inspiring.”

Despite the fact that they once shared the same body parts and a nearly identical genetic make-up, the two have very different personalities. According to their mother, Macy is “softer around the edges” and prefers to stay at home. Mackenzie, on the other hand, is more outgoing and enjoys being outside. They were able to overcome various challenges as they grew older, such as relying on their prosthesis and crutches to move around.

Most importantly, they have family who will always be there for them. Each of them also has an ostomy bag that must be changed on a regular basis. These factors, however, did not prevent them from having a normal childhood complete with household chores! Linda Kontis, a co-founder of the foster-care agency where the triplets were raised, stated that when handicapped children are raised in an environment where they are treated like normal children, they see themselves as such, which may be why the triplets are doing so well today.