Standing alone as an identical twin...

AMONG the UK population the chances of having twins in the 21st century are about 1.5%. I can say honestly how proud I feel to be a twin. As Hannah is my only sibling I believe this has made us even closer. A common question which many people ask us is ‘Do you ever argue?’ The answer to this is yes. Our parents have used the saying that we are the best of friends but the worst of enemies.

At full term the average baby will weigh approximately 6 to 9 pounds. Being 8 weeks premature our combined weight was 6 pounds. From the start things may not have looked good but we managed to reach a healthy weight and after 3 months we were discharged from Antrim Hospital. Hannah and I have always been close and birth was no exception as there was only 4 minutes between us.

As we are identical twins many would think we have the same personality. Without doubt we have very different personalities. When people do get to know us, they learn that we are two very different people. I can confide and rely on Hannah. We often help each other as we both study french so speaking to one another in the language helps improve our vocabulary and accent. We enjoy doing many things together from playing tennis to working in our part-time job.

However we do live independent lives and have became more so the older we have become. One of the biggest steps was the transition from primary school to secondary school. We had been in the same class in primary school but along with our parents we made the decision to separate into different classes at the Rainey. Although it was difficult at the start this gave us the opportunity to make our own friends. Now looking back I can see that it was the best decision. This has helped to prepare us for the next big step : University. Hannnah and I are both hoping to go to university next year (2013). We realise that there is a chance of one of us having to go across to England as we have different careers in mind. We will just have to wait and see what will happen.

Statistics have suggested that 1 in 250 pregnancies can result in identical twins. I have been asked many times whether I like being a twin. In my opinion I am very fortunate to have a twin sister. Many twins are very close and have a connection that no one else can understand but them. I am very close to my sister and I don’t know what I would do without her.