Mother of once-conjoined Filipino twins thanks NY doctors

NEW YORK — A Filipino woman who gave birth to conjoined twins has thanked the New York doctors involved on the 10th anniversary of the boys' separation.

During a celebration Monday at Montefiore Medical Center, Arlene Aguirre said she put all her trust and hope in the hospital's surgeons.

The 12-year-old twins have not had equal outcomes. Clarence Aguirre is close to being a normal preteen. But his brother Carl has trouble walking and talking.

The boys attended the celebration and guests watched a video of Clarence dancing.

Dr. James Goodrich, the lead surgeon in 2004, called the separation a success. He gave a short lecture on the history of separating conjoined twins.

The family, which is from Salay in the Philippines, lives in the U.S. on a medical visa.