Bunbury twins overcome odds

Ms Turner was told at birth that Willow and Eden had a 10 per cent chance of survival but last week they defied all odds. 

It was a massive milestone in the twin’s journey as they attended their first day at school. 

Ms Turner said it had been an emotional and financial struggle but seeing them walk through the school gates made her proud. 

“I live in hope that everything will be as normal as possible and they would be able to attend school,” she said.

“It has all started to sink in that the last few years were worth every single battle.”

In January last year Ms Turner thought they had reached a turning point when Eden’s breathing tube was removed after she required a full airway reconstruction, known as a tracheotomy.

In July she started to have breathing problems again and the breathing tube had to be put back in, which Ms Turner said felt like a massive step back. 

Eden was the first baby in Bunbury who required this operation and after the windpipe was inserted to stabilise her breathing she required 24 hour full-time care.

It was a milestone in itself being able to bring Eden home to Bunbury and have the right care in place. 

In the last five years they have spent months at a time at the Ronald McDonald House and at Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth.

“I have spent more time in that house than my own and it was hard with my other two kids finding them a school while we spent months at the Mac house,” she said. 

“It was hard because they didn’t class it as a disability because it wasn’t permanent so we fell through the cracks and it has been a major financial burden.” 

Again, Eden defied the odds and the breathing tube was removed late last year and they were able to get prepared for school this year. 

Ms Turner described Eden as incredibly resilient and laid back considering what she had been through.

It has been rewarding being able to take a trip to the park and finally being able to go swimming, Ms Turner said.