Ten years ago in Corpus Christi, doctors told a young couple that two of their rare identical triplets were conjoined and might never walk — if they even survived birth. The odds were stacked against them from day one. But today, those same girls are not only walking — they’re dancing, flipping, and competing at a state cheerleading competition.
Their story is one of faith, perseverance, and the unshakable belief that every child’s life, no matter how fragile, is worth fighting for.
In May 2015, Silvia Hernandez Ambriz and Raul Torres welcomed three daughters, rare identical triplets named Ximena, Scarlett, and Catalina, at Corpus Christi Medical Center. But their joy was also met with fear: Ximena and Scarlett were conjoined at the pelvis, sharing vital organs.
The odds were stacked against them. Doctors warned that even if the girls survived separation, they might never walk. But their parents refused to give up hope. “God chose us to take care of these babies,” Torres said at the time. “We put our faith in God’s hands first and everything will be all right.”
That faith was tested in April 2016, when surgeons spent 12 grueling hours separating the girls. The procedure was a medical milestone and a leap of faith for their parents. Months later, Ximena and Scarlett began to prove every prediction wrong.
“They have proven that anything is possible,” the couple wrote in 2017, sharing videos of the girls crawling and standing. “Pretty sure in a while they will start walking. Couldn’t be any happier with their progress.”
And they were right.
Eight years later, Ximena and Scarlett are back in Corpus Christi — not as patients, but as cheerleaders. Their proud mom now serves as their coach, helping them achieve what once seemed unthinkable. “After doctors said they weren’t sure if the girls would walk, they’re not only walking, they’re dancing,” Hernandez Ambriz told KIII.
She added, “They’re an example for other kids with medical conditions: if they want something, to not give up.”
But their story is more than a medical miracle — it’s a powerful reminder of the value of every human life.
When parents today receive a devastating diagnosis for their preborn baby, abortion is often presented as the “compassionate” choice. Many couples who learn their twins are conjoined are told that killing them is the most merciful option — for both the babies and the parents.
A medical study revealed that when faced with a conjoined twin diagnosis, nearly two-thirds of parents (63%) sought permission to abort their babies. Only a small fraction — 20% — chose to continue due to how far along the pregnancy was.
Yet, Hernandez Ambriz and Torres chose Life. And because of their courage, the world now sees three vibrant 10-year-old girls whose laughter and perseverance prove what so many doctors overlook: the value of a life cannot be measured by its challenges.
Their journey reminds us that every human being — no matter how small, no matter what challenges they face— has an irreplaceable purpose from God.
Ximena and Scarlett’s story is living proof that “impossible” is just a word — and that when parents choose Life, miracles can happen.
LifeNews Note: Ashlynn Lemos is the communications intern for Texas Right to Life.
