A miracle mother-of-six who fell in love with baby twins with a rare genetic deformity has devoted her life to raising them after they were taken away from their parents.
Matthew and Marshall Trepanier, three, have misshapen, oversized heads due to Pfeiffer Syndrome, which caused their skull bones to fuse prematurely in the womb.
Kind-hearted nurse Linda Trepanier, 58, from Lakeville, Minnesota, took them in as a foster carer when they were four weeks old after their parents were deemed unable to take care of them.
What a heart: Linda Trepanier, 58, took twins Matthew and Marshall in when they were four weeks old after their parents were deemed unable to take care of them
Say cheese! The twins were born with Pfeiffer Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes their heads to be misshapen and oversized
Aw! The nurse was asked by Protective Child Services if she would be willing to adopt one of the twins, but she said she would never separate them and adopted both
The full-time medical foster carer was later approached by Child Protective Services, who asked if she would be willing to adopt one of the twins. She couldn’t bear to separate the pair, so she decided to adopt both of them.
“When I first saw the twins, I thought they were the most adorable little things I had ever seen,” she reminisced. “They had these big heads and tiny bodies, weighing 8lbs, but most of the weight was because of their heads. I just fell in love with them. I knew in my heart that they were my boys.”
Love at first sight: Linda fell in love with the baby twins as soon as she saw them
Play time! Twins Matthew and Marshall inherited the rare genetic disorder, which affects their head and skull, from their father
Selfless love: Linda’s friends and family don’t understand why she took on such a big responsibility at an age when they think she should be looking forward to retirement
Pfeiffer Syndrome, inherited from their father, affects the twins’ facial and skull development. It occurs when skull parts fuse prematurely, limiting bone growth with brain expansion.
Matthew and Marshall, diagnosed with Pfeiffer type two, have severe hand and foot deformities, fibrous joints, high foreheads, displaced ears, and protruding eyes. Their condition requires constant care and frequent medical visits, leading to three surgeries each in the past two years to reshape fused bones for brain growth.
It’s all worth it to her: The twins require round-the-clock care but the Minnesota mom’s career as a nurse has prepared her to take on the challenge
Look at those smiles! The twins have both had three operations over the last two years to reshape their head structure and allow space for their brains to grow
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A story of hope: Matthew and Marshall’s disorder affects their mobility and they need wheelchairs to get around. They also need breathing tubes and eyeglasses
Matthew and Marshall rely on breathing tubes and wheelchairs due to their condition, which limits their mobility. They also wear glasses due to poor eyesight. Linda monitors their temperature regularly and ensures they’re securely tucked into bed each night to prevent tube removal. The tubes provide a direct airway to their lungs, making them vulnerable to infections, requiring an oxygen tank for outdoor emergencies.
Despite family and friends questioning her decision at her age, Linda remains undeterred, finding fulfillment in positively impacting Matthew and Marshall’s lives.
A full-time job: Linda has to tuck the twins tight at night so they don’t accidentally remove their breathing tubes in the middle of the night
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Happy against the odds: Lucy said that despite the twins’ health issues they are a lot of fun and with the right care will be able to one day live independent lives
Linda’s nursing background has prepared her well for the challenging task of caring for the twins. She transitioned from working as a regular nurse to fostering children in her home in 1986, ultimately fostering 16 children.
Her lifelong passion for caring for babies and kids led her to this fulfilling path. With three biological children and three other adoptive children, she is dedicated to providing the right care for the twins to help them lead independent lives.
Linda has been their steadfast support since fostering them in 2014, and their adoption was recently finalized. Registered nurses assist her in caring for Matthew, Marshall, and her other adoptive children.
Despite the hard work involved, Linda finds immense joy in their cheerful and smiling personalities. Their infectious laughter often spreads from one twin to the other, endearing them to everyone they meet.