Marieme and Ndeye were not expected to survive for more than a few days when they were born.<\/p>\n
Now aged seven, they are thought to be the only growing conjoined twins in Europe.<\/p>\n
While both girls have their own unique personalities and moods, they rely on each other to survive.<\/p>\n
“When you are told from the beginning there is no future, you just live for the present,” said their dad, Ibrahima.<\/p>\n
Conjoined twins are rare, representing about one in every 500,000 live births in the UK.<\/p>\n
Around half are stillborn, with another third dying within 24 hours of birth.<\/p>\n
So seeing Marieme and Ndeye celebrate their seventh birthday with a classful of friends doesn’t just give Ibrahima joy, but also to the doctors who have cared for them.<\/p>\n