Guatemalan twins, formerly conjoined, turn 10

Nation & World News

Josie Hull and her twin sister, Teresita Cajas, formerly conjoined twins from Guatemala, turned 10 with a big birthday celebration.

Josie Hull, center right, and sister Teresita Cajas, center left, formerly conjoined Guatemalan twin girls who were separated in a surgery in 2002, celebrate their 10th birthday, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, in Malibu, Calif. Reaching that first double-digit age of 10 is a milestone for any kid, but for these Guatemalan twins born conjoined at the head, it's cause for joyous celebration, since they have repeatedly defied the odds against survival at all.

Actor Mel Gibson walks with Josie Hull, center, and Josie's legal guardian Jenny Hull at a birthday party for Josie Hull and her twin sister, Teresita Cajas, in Malibu.

Mel Gibson shares a fun moment with Teresita. She also lives with a host family in the U.S. and sees her sister several times a week.

Actor Mel Gibson, left, chats with Josie Hull. "It's good to be here. It's good to see the twins," Gibson said before heading into the party.

Josie smiles for the camera as she arrives at her 10th birthday celebration. Josie suffered delayed motor skills in her legs. With intensive physical therapy, she walks aided by a cane and a walker, and expects to be fully ambulatory eventually.

Teresita Cajas contracted meningitis post-surgery when she returned to Guatemala. She is unable to speak, but she expresses herself through humming and laughing. She enjoys art, music and computers at school and loves swimming and horseback riding.

Josie Hull, right, gets a hug from Laura Cajas, as Josie and her sister, Teresita Cajas, background left, arrive for their 10th birthday party in Malibu.

Josie swims in the pool during her and sister Teresita Cajas' 10th birthday party. According to her host mother, she loves performing with her synchronized swim team.

Teresita Cajas smiles at her 10th birthday party in Malibu as a family member caresses her forehead.

Josie Hull, center, looks at a picture of her sister Teresita during the twins' 10th birthday celebration.

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Josie Hull, center right, and sister Teresita Cajas, center left, formerly conjoined Guatemalan twin girls who were separated in a surgery in 2002, celebrate their 10th birthday, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, in Malibu, Calif. Reaching that first double-digit age of 10 is a milestone for any kid, but for these Guatemalan twins born conjoined at the head, it's cause for joyous celebration, since they have repeatedly defied the odds against survival at all.

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