TYLER, Texas (WKRC/KLTV/CNN Newsource) - Two conjoined twin girls in Texas are beating the odds, but they still face many obstacles, including not being able to leave the house. Now, their family is asking for help.
Five-month-old Daletzy and Daleyza were born sharing a heart and a liver.
When their mother, Norma Gaytan, was pregnant, doctors advised her that the babies likely wouldn't survive the pregnancy, and that termination was the best option.
"We said we would leave it in God's hands and continue the pregnancy, because no one never knows what could happen after, and here are my babies," said Gaytan.
But the journey has been far from easy. Daletzy is on a breathing tube, and is slightly smaller than her sister.
They're both under the hospice pediatric care of Dr. Amy Starr, who says unfortunately, the twins cannot be separated.
"Even with all the wonders of modern day pediatric cardiovascular surgery, they don't believe they can make a functional single heart for one kid, even taking parts out of both," Dr. Starr said.
With the girls being in need of such medical care, the family is facing another issue: transportation.
Right now, the babies cannot leave the house, because there are no car seats that safely fit them both.
"Since they were born, we haven't been able to take them anywhere," said Gaytan. "I would love to have a car seat for them to take them to church, to the park, with their little brother so they can see a different environment."
Dr. Starr and other nurses have to travel to the family's home for care.
She says the twins rode in an ambulance when going to the hospital, but that it's not ideal.
"It would have to be a car bed right now, but even those, we don't have anything that we can modify," said Dr. Starr.
There is currently only one car seat manufacturer, located in Utah, that could possibly make a custom seat, but the family isn't confident there is a safe way to get them there so the manufacturer can make sure it works.
However, Gaytan says they have faith, and they aren't giving up.
"I feel grateful with God and very happy that my babies are here with me. We have our faith set that we can come up with something," she said. "For a reason, God has left them with us for this time. They are here for a reason, and we feel very blessed with them because they are a miracle."
The family is asking for help from anyone who knows how to design, build, or adapt a car seat for their children.