They are one in a million and today these identical twins, who both have Down Syndrome, will be celebrating another milestone in their young lives.
Fowzia and Fatima Fillies are turning six on Thursday, and to celebrate, a lekker party will be held in a park close to their home in Lentegeur, and the whole neighbourhood is invited.
According to Down Syndrome Western Cape’s manager, Tineke Ganz-Malan, identical twins with Down Syndrome is very rare.
“Internationally, there is a 1 to 2 in a million chance that a set of identical twins with Down Syndrome will be born.
“Here in the Western Cape, Fatima and Fowzia are the only ones I know of. There are four sets of unidentical twins in the province that I am aware of. Internationally though there is a 14 to 15 in a million chance that this could happen (unidentical twins).
“The girls are very rare indeed,” Ganz-Malan said.
Their proud mom Mymoena Williams-Fillies, 46, says her sassy daughters have developed beyond her expectations and have brought only joy to her life.
TWO IN A MILLION: Downs Syndrome twins Fatima and Fowzia Fillies of Lentegeur. Photo: Supplied
She and her husband, Mogamad Adiel, have five older children.
When she discovered they had Down’s, doctors offered Mymoena the option of an abortion.
“I flat-out refused to do it. They actually sit you down and tell you how hard it will be raising a child with Down’s. I thought it is so negative to say stuff like that to a mother.”
She gave birth at Groote Schuur Hospital to two healthy babies.
“I had to learn to be so patient with them. My girls have their own clock, so everything from learning to crawl, walking and communicating was a challenge, but we made good time on the milestones.
“They speak a few words, but mostly communicate by showing what they want. They have smiles that light up a room, but they are also demanding,” she says.
Mymoena works full-time while their nanny, Zainu Daniels, takes care of them.
Zainu says her “little firecrackers” have reshaped her world.
“They are so precious, but they have this new trick where when I call one of them, both of them look up at me,” she laughs.
“I wouldn’t know who is whom for a few seconds and then they dissolve into giggles. They are very competitive, but love each other so much.”
Mymoena says they are having a party for the girls today.
“We are going to set up a table in the park and all the kids in our neighbourhood are welcome,” she says.