Real Life

Trishna and Krishna’s joy: We’re so proud of our brother

Trishna and Krishna's joy: We're so proud of our brother

The amazing twins share the spotlight with their brother Ahmed.

Watching the two little girls jump up and down in the stand, cheering on their big brother, you’d never guess that less than 16 months ago their lives hung in the balance.

When conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna were separated in a long, delicate operation in November 2009, many medics doubted they could both survive. But the little fighters have proved everyone wrong. Last week, the four-year-olds looked happy and healthy as they cheered on their adopted brother Ahmed Kelly in the 2011 Australian Swimming Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

Their support clearly worked. Ahmed, 19, broke the 100 metres paralympic world breaststroke record, smiling proudly at his sisters in the stand as he claimed victory. “They’re big girls now, running around,” smiles adoptive mum Moira Kelly, 47, as the pair toddle up and down the stands, giggling and squealing. “[Krishna] has a little way to go but little Trishy, she loves running and playing, like other little toddlers.”

Since they’ve been separated, the girls have developed distinct personalities. Trishna likes to wear her hair in bunches and is the more outgoing, while curly-haired Krishna prefers to stay close to Moira for cuddles. But it’s clear they both thrive in the family’s home near Melbourne with Ahmed and his younger brother Emmanuelle, 16.

Ahmed and Emmanuelle were born in Baghdad and left on an orphanage doorstep by their parents. They couldn’t cope with caring for the little boys, who both had underdeveloped limbs. Moira brought them to Australia in 2000, and since Trishna and Krishna arrived in 2009 from Bangladesh, they’ve become doting older brothers to the girls.

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