When doctors saw the conjoined twin girls born in Guatemala, they told their mother that her babies wouldn’t live past a year. Two decades later, in July 2022, they celebrated their 21st birthday, proving that miracles do exist!

Do you believe in miracles? Has something unusual ever happened to you that boosted your faith in God? Usually, when doctors tell a person they won’t be able to live past a specific date, their friends and family start praying for a miracle.

In many cases, these prayers are answered, and the sick person recovers in no time — it feels like the person never went through a life-threatening medical condition. The girls in today’s story have a similar story that began when they were born.

When Josie Hull and Teresa Cajas came into this world in July 2001, the doctors looked at them in shock. It wasn’t common to see twin girls born with joint skulls in the small Guatemalan village. It was a rare sight for the residents.

After the doctors told their mother, Leticia Quiej-Alvarez, that the girls wouldn’t be able to live past a year, she started looking for treatment options. She stumbled upon a non-profit organization called “Healing the Children” during her search.

The non-profit organization agreed to fly the girls with Quiej-Alvarez and her husband, Wenceslao, to Los Angeles for a 23-hour-long surgical procedure to separate the twins. Dr. Mark Urata, who was involved in the surgery, said it was “very risky.”

Dr. Urata also recalled that the success rates of such surgeries back in the day weren’t too high. However, the team of surgeons still took the chance and proceeded with the medical procedure that made it to the news.

Twenty-three hours later, the team of surgeons emerged from the operation theatre with good news. They had successfully separated Josie and Teresa, who could return to Guatemala in a few days.

However, things changed when the girls and their parents flew back to their village. Unfortunately, both Josie and Teresa developed potentially fatal brain infections. Teresa’s condition was critical due to her inability to stay awake.

Teresa’s health suffered as a result of her frequent comas at a young age. It resulted in a permanent brain disability, and she required 24-hour care. Meanwhile, Teresa’s sister was having seizures but was faring much better than Teresa.

Because the village lacked adequate medical facilities, the twins and their parents flew back to the United States. Quiej-Alvarez and Wenceslao decided not to bring their daughters back because the medical care they required was not available in their village.

Their host families took the initiative and decided to adopt the girls. Teresa was adopted by Werner and Florie Cajas, while Josie was adopted by Jenny Hull. Being separated from each other, however, had no effect on their relationship.

Josie and Teresa’s adoptive parents lavished them with love and attention. Teresa’s parents enrolled her in a special education school as she grew older, while Josie attended a regular school.

While Teresa was unable to move or speak, Josie enjoyed dancing and singing. The girls had an unbreakable bond. The twins celebrated their fifteenth birthday in 2016, which drew media attention. Josie revealed in an interview that she and Teresa chose their party dresses. She stated:

However, things changed when the girls and their parents flew back to their village. Unfortunately, both Josie and Teresa developed potentially fatal brain infections. Teresa’s condition was critical due to her inability to stay awake.

Teresa’s health suffered as a result of her frequent comas at a young age. It resulted in a permanent brain disability, and she required 24-hour care. Meanwhile, Teresa’s sister was having seizures but was faring much better than Teresa.

Because the village lacked adequate medical facilities, the twins and their parents flew back to the United States. Quiej-Alvarez and Wenceslao decided not to bring their daughters back because the medical care they required was not available in their village.

Their host families took the initiative and decided to adopt the girls. Teresa was adopted by Werner and Florie Cajas, while Josie was adopted by Jenny Hull. Being separated from each other, however, had no effect on their relationship.

Josie and Teresa’s adoptive parents lavished them with love and attention. Teresa’s parents enrolled her in a special education school as she grew older, while Josie attended a regular school.