As with a lot of twins we share a bond like no
other. We are twins, sisters, friends, teachers and
mirrors for each other. We are 15 years old,
identical and have only lived one minute with out
each other (at birth).
We speak to each other in a language no one else can
understand, nor can we enlighten them. We didn't
realize this until we were 6 or 7 years old when
someone pointed it out.
It involves using the same number of syllables, but
making a different noise. It can be useful in class,
letting each other know how we feel or what we are
thinking. Of course that is the verbal way of doing
so.
In a situation when being asked to do something
(e.g. being asked to go out with friends) we know
the exact excuse (genuine or not) for not doing so
within a matter of seconds with no expression or
sound.
Other times we start talking about the exact same
thing at the exact same time. More frequently when
telling a story or having a conversation, we finish
each others sentences. For example, once when
shopping we both said the same thing at the same
time, then responded at the same time with the same
answer. This went on for several minutes.
This is not the only way we understand each others
thoughts and feelings. The first occurrence of
experiencing each others pain was when we were 8
years old. Denise broke her elbow. Walking slowly
home from where it had happened Heather was crippled
with pain in the opposite arm. Not only is this one
of many times we have experienced unexplainable
pain, we have also experienced visible changes.
At age 10, Heather visited the dentist, anxious of
the awaiting jag to remove her tooth. At home,
Denise experienced a similar numbness and looked in
the mirror to investigate. On the opposite side of
her mouth, above the same tooth, Denise's gum was
bleeding.
Again, this is not the only time the appearance of
something has altered. In March of this year,
Heather was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She
spent a week in hospital, which is the first time we
had slept without each other. When Heather came
home, now injecting three times a day, Denise
refused to eat anything Heather could not eat.
Getting used to this unfamiliar routine, Heather was
checking her blood sugar regularly (pricking her
finger and inserting it into a monitor) and she was
left with hundreds of tiny purple bruises on her
fingertips. After a week or two, Denise bore the
same marks, in the same places.
Our memories are also different from other people's.
We remember with great detail and clarity what the
other experienced. For example, we both remember
taking the rubbish out on holiday. Only one of us
did this, yet we both remember the squirrel on the
fence.
Our extraordinary bond has reflected in our
achievements academically. It is a constant
competition to achieve the highest marks and
therefore our education has benefited. Our teachers
and friends know us as "The Allan's", "The Girls" or
simply "The Twins." Some believe this to affect our
individualism and confidence. However, we are proud
to be known collectively because we are two parts of
a whole!
Denise and Heather
